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MLB Notebook: A-Rod gives HR bat to young fan

The Sports Xchange

April 30, 2016 at 6:15 pm.

Apr 29, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 29, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, not the most popular player at Fenway Park, gave his bat to a young fan after hitting a home run.

The 8-year-old fan, David Moss, is an Arizona native who attended Friday night’s game with his mother and sister and was welcomed at Fenway by the Red Sox, including David Ortiz.

According to MLB.com, the young fan’s father, Andy Moss, died in September before he and his son could meet Ortiz in person. Ortiz recounted the Moss family’s story to Rodriguez and the Yankees designated hitter greeted David Moss before his first at-bat of the game in the top of the second inning.

“I asked (Rodriguez) if I could have his bat,” Moss told MLB.com. “He said, ‘If I hit a home run, you can have my bat.’ ”

After blasting his fourth homer of the season — and the 28th of his career at Fenway Park — on Friday night, the 40-year-old Rodriguez sought out the young Red Sox fan behind home plate to honor his promise.

A-Rod hit the solo blast off Red Sox left-hander Henry Owens for his 691st career home run. After touching home plate, Rodriguez gestured to the Yankees’ bat boy to give him the bat before heading over to the Moss family’s seats behind home plate and leaning the bat up against the padded wall.

–The St. Louis Cardinals are looking into allegations made in a civil lawsuit against right-handed starting pitcher Carlos Martinez.

Martinez, 24, was excused from the team on Friday so he could travel to South Florida and deal with the suit filed against him, according to ESPN.

“We are just learning of this matter. I was notified by Carlos’ agent the other night,” general manager John Mozeliak said Saturday. “We will not be in a position to act until we have more information.”

A woman filed the suit in district court in Miami, stating she began her relationship with Martinez in 2012 and rekindled it recently, according to TMZ Sports.

Martinez is 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 28 innings this season. He was at the stadium Saturday and the lawsuit is not expected to affect his scheduled start on Sunday, according to a ESPN.

–Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann will play two more games with Triple-A Toledo and will rejoin the club Tuesday in Cleveland.

McCann has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 12 because of a sprained right ankle.

–Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana played catch on Saturday and will again on Sunday before throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston.

Santana, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of back spasms, is eligible to return on May 3.

–Oakland A’s right-hander Chris Bassitt has a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, which was revealed by a MRI exam performed Friday.

The diagnosis could lead to season-ending surgery. Bassitt is going to Cincinnati for a second opinion.

–Houston Astros outfielder Carlos Gomez will miss a couple of days because of a sore left ribcage.

Gomez sustained the injury diving for a ball Friday night. He left Wednesday’s game in Seattle early when he was hit by a pitch on his right hand.

–St. Louis Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo will need knee replacement surgery next month, meaning he won’t be able to join the coaching staff this season.

Oquendo has been part of the team’s coaching staff since 1999.

–With the San Francisco Giants needing a fresh bullpen arm following Friday’s 13-1 loss, the team purchased the contract of right-hander Vin Mazzaro from Triple-A Sacramento and optioned right-hander Mike Broadway to the same affiliate.

Broadway threw three innings Friday night. To make room for Mazzaro on the 40-man roster, right-hander Ian Gardeck was designated for assignment.

–Giants second baseman Joe Panik (groin) did not start in Saturday’s game and will likely sit in Sunday’s series finale as well.

Panik tweaked his groin running out of the batter’s box in the ninth inning Friday.

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