Hagadone grievance possible

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

The baseball players’ union may file a grievance against the Cleveland Indians if they withhold pay from pitcher Nick Hagadone, who injured a hand in frustration.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said the left-hander was hurt after a bad relief outing against Tampa Bay on Friday night and said the injury was self-inflicted. The 26-year-old rookie gave up two hits, walked two and allowed two runs while recording two outs.

Cleveland optioned Hagadone to the minors Saturday then placed him on their minor league disqualification list the following day. His next payday is Sunday, and he has a contract calling for a $480,500 salary in the major leagues and $78,250 in the minors.

“If Nick is not paid what he in our view is supposed to be paid on July 15, then we’ll have a fight about it,” Union head Michael Weiner said.

He cited a case involving Yankees pitcher Doyle Alexander, who broke a finger when he punched a dugout wall in 1982.

“Baseball is a very intense game, and if a player in the intensity of the moment does something, makes a mistake and whams his hand against the dugout or a door and does something or is injured, that’s a work-related injury,” Weiner said. “Clubs want players to compete, to compete very hard, and sometimes those emotions come out. No player is proud of the fact that he injured himself in that kind of situation, but Nick is not the first player this year and certainly not the first player in baseball history who unfortunately suffered that kind of injury.”

Perez prepared

Indians closer Chris Perez was prepared for a frigid welcome from fans in Kansas City after some actions and remarks that drew some heat earlier this season.

During a series early in the season, he mocked the “Our Time” slogan the Royals adopted for this season in an inflammatory posting on Twitter. When the teams met again in Cleveland, he drew more ire for a taunting gesture directed at the Royals’ Jarrod Dyson after striking him out.

“I’ve been booed before. It probably won’t be the last time,” Perez said, “but at the same time, I’m playing for the AL. I’m trying to help the AL win.”

That’s why Perez was hoping the boos at Kauffman Stadium weren’t quite as loud as they were for the Yankees’ Robinson Cano, who was pounded mercilessly during the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night.

“I love Kansas City. I love playing here. If they boo, they boo,” Perez said. “I don’t think anything I say is off the wall. I believe everything I say, and I think some people agree with me. And if they don’t, I think people still respect that I say what I believe.”