Toronto’s Maicer Izturis expected out for remainder of season

Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis is expected to be out the remainder of the season after having right shoulder surgery, effectively ending a three-year stint in Toronto that was plagued by injury problems.

Manager John Gibbons said Thursday that the 34-year-old Izturis couldn’t stay healthy.

Izturis signed a three-year, $10-million deal with the Blue Jays in November 2012. At the time, it was the largest free-agent contract given out by Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos.

Izturis hit .236 in 107 games in 2013 and was sidelined the last several weeks because of sore left ankle.

Eleven games into a promising start to 2014, Izturis was lost for the year when he tripped on the dugout steps before a game at Baltimore and tore knee ligaments.

This year, Izturis strained his groin in spring training. While rehabbing that injury at Class-A Dunedin, he injured his shoulder diving for a ball.

Izturis’ contract includes a $3-million option for 2016, but the Blue Jays can exercise a $1-million buyout.

Luhnow disputes details of hacking probe

Houston Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow says the notion that poor password protection is to blame for a computer hack of his team’s player database is “absolutely false.”

The FBI is investigating whether employees of the St. Louis Cardinals broke into the database. Some material was posted online a year ago, and the Cardinals and Astros have both said they are cooperating with the authorities.

Luhnow headed the Cardinals’ scouting and player development department before he was hired by the Astros in December 2011. Luhnow worked at technology firm Archetype Solutions Inc. before his stint in baseball, and he was asked about the theory that hackers could access Houston’s system because he didn’t change passwords.

“That’s absolutely false,” Luhnow told Sports Illustrated. “I absolutely know about password hygiene and best practices. I’m certainly aware of how important passwords are, as well as of the importance of keeping them updated. A lot of my job in baseball, as it was in high tech, is to make sure that intellectual property is protected. I take that seriously and hold myself and those who work for me to a very high standard.”

Etc.

Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura has been put on the 15-day disabled list because of right ulnar nerve inflammation. … The Miami Marlins have placed infielder Martin Prado on the 15-day day disabled list because of a right shoulder sprain. …Cleveland outfielder Michael Bourn has been suspended for one game and fined after Major League Baseball concluded he made contact with umpire Phil Cuzzi during a game at Wrigley Field this week. Major League Baseball Senior Vice President Joe Garagiola Jr. announced the penalty Thursday. Bourne appealed, delaying the suspension until after the appeals process. … Phillies ace Cole Hamels will miss at least one start because of a mild right hamstring strain.