Touch 'Em All: Reports: Toronto's Yunel Escobar wore gay slur

Major League Baseball is checking reports that Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar played Saturday's game against Boston wearing eye-black displaying a homophobic slur written in Spanish.

Photos posted online show Escobar with the message written in his eye-black, a sticker players wear under their eyes to reduce glare from the sun. The slur did not appear to be directed at anyone in particular.

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney confirmed Monday that the commissioner's office is looking into the reports.

"The club takes this situation seriously and is investigating the matter," the Blue Jays said in a statement Monday night, adding that they "do not support discrimination of any kind nor condone the message displayed by Yunel Escobar during Saturday's game."

The team said Escobar would be available to the media Tuesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Los Angeles Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said he can empathize with fans who want manager Mike Scioscia to be fired in this season of unfulfilled expectations.

"I certainly understand the critical nature of the fan, because I've been one all my life," Dipoto told the Los Angeles Times. "You're naturally critical. The ebbs and flows of a baseball season bring that on."

Growing up a New York Mets fan in New Jersey, Dipoto told the Times, he criticized managers Joe Torre and Davey Johnson as heartily as fans have blasted Scioscia. The difference? Fans then could not turn to social networking to vent.

Fuming Angels fans were tweeting Saturday night after Scioscia pulled starter Zack Greinke in the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead, and closer Ernesto Frieri gave up two home runs for a 3-2 loss.

"Most people second-guess a move after it's made, but by and large, when you have a guy who's been that good, who's converted the opportunities he's had, I don't know if you're ever wrong with a move like that," said Dipoto, defending the decision by Scioscia, a Delaware County native.

Miami rightfielder Giancarlo Stanton was not in the starting lineup against Atlanta on Monday so he could rest what he and the Marlins described as a strained side muscle.

Stanton pointed to his right side when describing the injury, and Miami manager Ozzie Guillen said it was an oblique strain, though the team's official announcement was that Stanton had "left intercostal soreness."

The Texas Rangers will get their best postseason pitcher back next year.

Colby Lewis, 33, who has been out since elbow surgery in July, agreed to a $2 million, one-year contract extension for 2013.

- Inquirer wire services