Detroit Tigers closer Fernando Rodney has been suspended for three games and fined for throwing a ball toward the stands following a game last week.

The penalty, announced yesterday by baseball vice president for discipline Bob Watson, comes after Rodney threw a ball toward the seats and into the press box at Tropicana Field following Detroit's 4-3 win at Tampa Bay on Friday night. No one was hit by the ball, and Rodney said afterward that he was throwing it to the fans.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Rodney clearly didn't have any intent to injure anyone and will appeal the suspension.

"I cannot condone what Fernando did. That was inappropriate — you're not supposed to throw the ball into the stands like that and the players know that," he said. "Fortunately, no one got hit, but beyond that it's not like he was upset at anyone other than himself. He wasn't throwing it at anyone, he wasn't throwing it in the press box on purpose. He just threw the ball."

Rodney's heave came after he allowed two runs in the ninth inning before closing out his 32nd save. Once it was over, he grabbed the game ball from teammate Miguel Cabrera and hurled it over the screen into the press box.

ELSEWHERE

Mariners: Seattle reliever Sean White will have an MRI on his sore right shoulder today, and is expected to be sidelined the rest of the season. White hasn't pitched since Aug. 28, when he made his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 2.80 ERA and career highs of 64 1/3 innings and 52 appearances this season.

Rockies: Colorado was without smooth-fielding shortstop Troy Tulowitzki yesterday against Cincinnati after his back stiffened up. Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Tulowitzki is day-to-day. Tulowitzki left the game in the seventh inning the day before after straining his back on a game-tying single.

Yankees: New York reliever David Robertson was shut down yesterday because of stiffness in his right elbow, and will not pitch again until he's examined by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Robertson is 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA in 42 games.

Brewers: Milwaukee starter Manny Parra was forced from last night's game with neck spasms after pitching the top of the first against the St. Louis Cardinals. Parra threw 21 pitches, 11 for strikes, in his shortest outing this season.