MLB notes: League gains tool to check Dominican baseball players

Major League Baseball is getting a new tool to verify the ages and identities of players from the Dominican Republic.

More than 10 percent of the players in the majors are Dominican. There have been a few known cases in which players signed contracts after using fake documents that gave wrong names and ages.

The president of the Dominican Central Electoral Commission says league officials will now be able to access its national database of names and biometric data. Roberto Rosario says that should help reduce fraud among those aspiring to play professional baseball in the U.S.

Dominican authorities are also pledging to investigate and prosecute document fraud involving players as part of an agreement signed with league officials Thursday.

Reds’ Cingrani on DL

The Reds put left-hander Tony Cingrani on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his pitching shoulder, giving them two starters sidelined by injury.

They called up right-handed reliever Curtis Partch for the start of a four-game series against Milwaukee.

The Reds also lost center fielder Billy Hamilton, who sprained knuckles on his left hand while making a diving catch to open the game against the Brewers on Thursday night. He’s expected to be sidelined a couple of days.

Machado activated

The Baltimore Orioles have activated third baseman Manny Machado from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Steve Lombardozzi to Triple-A Norfolk.

Machado hasn’t played in the majors since undergoing left knee surgery last October.

Clearing the bases

The Royals expect to place left-hander Bruce Chen on the disabled list with a swollen disc in his back that has already caused the club to juggle its starting rotation. Chen was supposed to throw a side session Thursday, but manager Ned Yost said the 37-year-old left-hander was in pain even before he made it to the mound. … The Milwaukee Brewers added right-handed reliever Rob Wooten for the start of their series against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, leaving them short-handed in the outfield. Utility player Elian Herrera, who batted .222 in nine games, was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.