TORONTO — Kansas City Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez says teammate Johnny Cueto believes the Toronto Blue Jays were stealing signs in their Game 3 victory Monday night in the American League Championship Series.
Volquez, Kansas City’s Game 5 starter, says Cueto thought the Blue Jays were having signs relayed to them from center field during an 11-8 win.
Cueto was chased with no outs in the third inning, having allowed eight runs and six hits.
Volquez says: “I think he said last night, they got a guy in center field. You see how hard it is. He looks to center field and he sees somebody do this or do that. It’s really hard to do that.”
Royals Manager Ned Yost wasn’t putting too much into the accusation, saying it never came up during the game.
“We always watch for that whoever we’re playing,” Yost said. “We use multiple signs, set up late. It’s not really an issue for us. We always make sure we are changing signs because clubs will look to relay location. But we haven’t seen any sign of it here.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred was more amused than concerned.
“Stealing signs is something that is often claimed, rarely proven in baseball,” he said.
Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons didn’t exactly deny the accusation, but that’s more likely because teams are always looking for an edge.
There is no prohibition in the Official Baseball Rules on sign stealing.
“I don’t think that’s what’s going on,” Gibbons said.
YANKEES: Ace right-hander Masahiro Tanaka underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow.
According to the club, the spur “was pre-existing, dating back to his pitching career in Japan.”
The Yankees said recovery time is about six weeks, with Tanaka expected to begin a throwing program afterward and to be ready for the start of spring training in February.
The 26-year-old Tanaka, in whom the Yankees made a $175 million investment in January 2014, went 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 2015.
ROCKIES: Colorado will bring back its coaching staff for the 2016 season after a year in which it finished last in the NL West.
Two weeks after Manager Walt Weiss said he was returning to the bench, the team announced there will be no major changes to his staff.
RANGERS: Texas extended a contract offer to pitching coach Mike Maddux, who is considering potential opportunities with other clubs before deciding if he will stay with the Rangers.
Maddux has presided over the pitching staff since Nolan Ryan wooed him from Milwaukee after the 2008 season.
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