BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Umpire: Bonilla Gave Him ‘a Whirl’

The umpires involved in Monday’s bench-clearing altercation between the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets disagreed Thursday with the Mets’ version of what happened.

Bobby Bonilla became angry when hit by a pitch from Shawn Boskie. While trying to get away from catcher Joe Girardi, Bonilla knocked down home plate umpire Larry Poncino. Met Manager Jeff Torborg said Poncino had lost his balance when the pushing and shoving started.

“He (Bonilla) gave me a whirl,” Poncino told The New York Times. “He definitely threw me to the ground. I don’t know what triggered it. An umpire lying on the ground. That doesn’t look good.”

Bonilla was suspended for two games. He appealed the suspension.

The Atlanta Braves asked first baseman Nick Esasky to accept an assignment to their triple-A team at Richmond. Esasky has until Sunday to accept the offer. If he does, he will be put on waivers. If no other major league team claims him, Esasky, sidelined by vertigo, can join Richmond on Tuesday. Regardless of his decision, Esasky will receive $1.95 million this season. . . . The Houston Astros activated outfielder Gerald Young from the 15-day disabled list and optioned reliever Rob Mallicoat to triple-A Tucson.