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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

MLB notes: RoboCop fires away

The movie character RoboCop throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game in Detroit. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

Everybody’s favorite fictional crime-fighting cyborg has made an appearance at a Detroit Tigers game.

RoboCop threw out the first pitch at Comerica Park on Tuesday evening as the Tigers hosted the Toronto Blue Jays. An announcement said RoboCop’s motorcycle was on display at the stadium and the first 10,000 fans were getting a RoboCop cheer card after getting inside.

It’s part of “RoboCop Day” in honor of the DVD release of this year’s “RoboCop” remake.

An announcement was to be made Tuesday about a RoboCop statue that’s expected to be installed in Detroit this year, but that event and a police meet-and-greet were cancelled.

A movement for the statue started in 2011 after a social networking campaign.

The 1980s science fiction movie was set in a futuristic and crime-ridden Detroit.

Prospect connects

Highly touted Houston Astros prospect Jon Singleton agreed to a $10 million, five-year contract on Monday and made his major league debut on Tuesday with a two-run, eighth-inning homer in Houston’s 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Singleton is rated by many as baseball’s top first baseman of the future. The 22-year-old was hitting .267 with 14 homers for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Singleton was acquired from Philadelphia in the 2011 trade for Hunter Pence. He was suspended 50 games last season for a second violation for a drug of abuse. He said he spent a month in a rehabilitation center last year.

Clearing the bases

The Athletics have placed outfielder Josh Reddick on the 15-day disabled list because of a hyperextended right knee and have activated right-hander Ryan Cook. … Rays right fielder Wil Myers is expected to be sidelined for more than six weeks because of a stress fracture in his right wrist. Myers is batting .227 with five homers and 25 RBIs. … Add Cliff Pennington to the long list of injured players on the Diamondbacks. Pennington has a torn ligament in his left thumb that will require surgery. The infielder is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. … Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison is recovering from spinal fusion surgery that could potentially end his career. Harrison is 49-33 with a 4.15 ERA while starting 100 of his 132 games, all with Texas since 2008. … Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman has appealed a six-game suspension imposed by MLB for throwing near the head of Rays star Evan Longoria last week.