Bradley won’t be suspended for incident

Milton Bradley will not be suspended for his role in the bizarre incident last month that resulted in an injury to the San Diego Padres outfielder and a suspension for umpire Mike Winters.

In an episode widely replayed across the nation, an argument between Bradley and Winters escalated to the point where Bradley had to be restrained by his manager, Bud Black. As Black wrestled him away, Bradley fell to the ground and grabbed his right knee.

Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline, said Thursday that Black saved Bradley from suspension by keeping him from Winters.

“He didn’t make contact with the guy, thanks to his manager,” Watson said. “If his manager hadn’t gotten him, we’re talking a whole different situation.”

Watson, attending Thursday’s playoff game in Cleveland between the New York Yankees and the Indians, said discipline had been determined for Bradley even though no announcement had been made.

Baseball generally announces suspensions but not fines. Watson declined to confirm that Bradley had been fined, although Bradley was ejected in the incident and fines typically accompany suspensions.

Winters became the first umpire in four years to be suspended when baseball officials determined he inflamed rather than defused the situation.

Bradley suffered a torn knee ligament and underwent surgery last week. His rehabilitation could extend into next season.

Cleveland General Manager Mark Shapiro said he sees “a moving consensus” among his peers in favor of instant replay, at least to check whether a home run was fair or foul, or if a homer passed above or below a designated line.

“If we can do it differently and fast, and we know we can get it right,” Shapiro said, “then how can we not?”

Shapiro said he expected general managers would discuss instant replay this winter and could vote to recommend that Commissioner Bud Selig adopt replays next season. Selig has repeatedly expressed his reluctance to use replays.

The issue returned to the limelight this week, when the Colorado Rockies won the National League wild-card playoff game on a disputed play at home plate. Shapiro said he would not favor using replays on that kind of play, or any other where the ball might remain alive depending on the call.

-- Bill Shaikin

Yankees first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz got tangled up with a cameraman and injured his left ankle in an accident, but was in the starting lineup for Game 1. Mientkiewicz was walking up a ramp at Jacobs Field when a YES cameraman was recording while backpedaling.

“My left foot was up, and he fell kind of right on the back of my heel. My ankle rolled,” Mientkiewicz said. “It’s going to deter [me] from stealing like 15 bases.”

The cameraman, a freelancer hired from the Cleveland area, was fired by YES. The network did not reveal his name.

YES spokesman Eric Handler said the cameraman had completed his shoot and had been told to shut down. “Unbeknownst to us he continued to shoot,” Handler said.

The Rockies voted a full playoff share for the widow of minor league coach Mike Coolbaugh, killed by a line drive this season while coaching first base.

Some of the veteran players decided to award a full share to Amanda Coolbaugh. Their two sons, 5-year-old Joseph and 3-year-old Jacob, will throw out the first pitch in Game 3 at Colorado.

Coolbaugh was a first base coach for the Rockies’ double-A affiliate, the Tulsa Drillers. The former major leaguer was killed July 22, when a line drive struck him in the head.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield will have shoulder surgery Monday but is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. . . . San Diego right fielder Brian Giles had microfracture surgery on his right knee, which he hurt in April. . . . Milwaukee Brewers catcher Johnny Estrada was scheduled to have surgery Thursday to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee.