![Edgar Martinez, Roberto Alomar](https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/plugins/lazy-load/images/1x1.trans.gif)
Roberto Alomar, shown before a game between Mets and Marlins last June in Puerto Rico, has been placed on Major League Baseball’s ineligible list following an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Friday. Andres Leighton/Associated Press
NEW YORK — Hall of Fame second baseman Roberto Alomar has been fired as a consultant by Major League Baseball and placed on the league’s ineligible list after an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the firing Friday, saying in a statement that a baseball industry employee reported an incident earlier this year involving Alomar from 2014. The league hired an external legal firm to investigate the matter.
“Having reviewed all of the available evidence from the now completed investigation, I have concluded that Mr. Alomar violated MLB’s policies, and that termination of his consultant contract and placement on MLB’s ineligible list are warranted,” Manfred said.
MLB said it would not provide further details on the investigation to protect the individual who came forward.
Alomar also lost his position as a special assistant with the Toronto Blue Jays. The club said in a statement it is severing ties with Alomar immediately, including removing him from their Level of Excellence and taking down his banner from Rogers Centre.
Alomar said on Twitter that he was “disappointed, surprised, and upset” by MLB’s decision.
“With the current social climate, I understand why Major League Baseball has taken the position they have,” he wrote. “My hope is that this allegation can be heard in a venue that will allow me to address the accusation directly. I will continue to spend my time helping kids pursue their baseball dreams. I will not be making any further comment at this time.”
COVID VACCINES: Major League Baseball says nine teams have had 85% of players, coaches and others with Tier 1 access receive their final dose of the coronavirus vaccine, allowing those clubs to ease some health and safety protocols.
Four of those teams have already begun relaxing some protocols after 85% or more of Tier 1 individuals reached full vaccination, meaning they are at least two weeks removed from their final vaccine dose. Another five teams have surpassed the 85% threshold for vaccine injections within the past two weeks and can ease standards once that waiting period passes
The league also said in a statement that 81% of Tier 1 individuals are considered partially or fully vaccinated. The statement did not say which teams had cleared the 85% threshold.
BLUE JAYS: Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez returned to the starting lineup against Atlanta after missing three weeks because of a positive test for the coronavirus.
Hernandez went on the injured list April 9 after he was exposed to an infected person outside the team. He started experiencing COVID-19 symptoms a few days later and tested positive.
TWINS: Minnesota reinstated outfielders Max Kepler and Kyle Garlick from the COVID-19 injured list and recalled catcher Ben Rortvedt from Triple-A St. Paul before beginning a three-game series against Kansas City.
The return of Kepler and Garlick cleared the last of the quarantines for the Twins, who had three straight games postponed two weekends ago because of virus troubles.
Catcher Ryan Jeffers and outfielder Brent Rooker were sent to the Triple-A team, and infielders Tzu-Wei Lin and JT Riddle were designated for release or assignment.
NATIONALS: Jon Lester was reinstated from the injured list, hours before the left-hander was to make his Washington debut against the Miami Marlins.
The Nationals also optioned right-hander Steven Fuentes and transferred left-hander Luis Avilán to the 60-day injured list.
Lester was one of nine players quarantined before the season because of COVID-19 protocols. Four players tested positive while five others were put under quarantine after contact tracing determined they might have been exposed.
CARDINALS: St. Louis is hopeful of getting Adam Wainwright back from the COVID-19 injured list on Monday.
The veteran right-hander was placed on the IL on Thursday. Wainwright has been vaccinated, but he came in close contact with a family member who has tested positive for the virus.
Manager Mike Shildt said he expects the 39-year-old Wainwright to start Monday night when the Cardinals host the New York Mets.
PHILLIES: Philadelphia placed shortstop Didi Gregorius on the COVID-related injured list.
Bench coach Rob Thomson said the move was taken as a precaution and did not indicate what caused the decision.
Manager Joe Girardi missed Friday’s game to attend his daughter’s college graduation.
PADRES: San Diego right-hander Chris Paddack was placed on the injured list because of what Manager Jayce Tingler described only as “a medical condition.”
Asked if it was related to COVID-19, Tingler said: “I cannot get into it. I wish I could give you details, I can’t. All I’ll say is it’s a medical condition.”
DIAMONDBACKS: Outfielder Kole Calhoun is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of an injured left hamstring injury.
Calhoun underwent a procedure Friday to remove a tendon in his hamstring, the team said. He suffered the injury while stealing third base in a 5-1 victory over San Diego on Tuesday.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
YANKEES 10, TIGERS 0: Aaron Judge hit a grand slam for one of his two homers, Gerrit Cole struck out 12 and New York routed visiting Detroit.
Clint Frazier, Aaron Hicks and Rougned Odor also homered on a cool and windy night. The Yankees set highs for runs, hits (15) and homers (five) in the opener of a season-high nine-game homestand.
Cole (4-1) allowed four hits and no walks during six overpowering innings, throwing only 87 pitches.
CARDINALS 7, PIRATES 3: Matt Carpenter hit his second pinch three-run homer in as many days, leading St. Louis to a win in Pittsburgh.
Carpenter connected off Duane Underwood Jr. in the sixth inning to put the Cardinals ahead 6-1 while batting for John Gant (2-2). Carpenter was batting .096 before he followed Tyler O’Neill’s single and Andrew Knizer’s walk with a drive to right-center for his third home run this season.
NATIONALS 2, MARLINS 1: Kyle Schwarber led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a two-run homer and Washington, boosted by a fine debut from Jon Lester, rallied past visiting Miami.
With Josh Bell starting the extra inning as the automatic runner on second base, Schwarber hit an 0-1 fastball to right-center off Yimi Garcia (2-2). It was Schwarber’s second walk-off homer of the season.
Lester pitched five scoreless innings in his first game for Washington. Reinstated from the injured list before the game, he allowed five hits and two walks while striking out one on 70 pitches.
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