DENVER — Two fans who ran onto the field and made contact with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. during Monday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies are facing charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace.
The misdemeanor charges against the fans, 21- and 23-year-old Denver residents, were outlined in arrest affidavits released by the Denver Police Department on Tuesday. The men were ordered to appear in court Sept. 27.
Acuña said he was OK after fending off the fans, including one who knocked him over, during the middle of the seventh inning at Coors Field in a 14-4 victory. He was not injured and remained in the game.
One fan got his arms around Acuña in right field before security personnel quickly grabbed the man. A second fan then sprinted toward the group, knocking down Acuña, and that fan was tackled as a member of the security staff chased him down.
“I was a little scared at first,” Acuña said through an interpreter. “I think the fans were out there and asking for pictures. I really couldn’t say anything because at that point, security was already there and we were already kind of tangled up, but security was able to get there and everything’s OK. We’re all OK and I hope they’re OK.”
Teammate Kevin Pillar expressed relief Acuña wasn’t hurt.
“Thankfully, they weren’t there to do any harm, but you just never know during those situations,” said Pillar, who was among the teammates and coaches who rushed to Acuña’s defense. “They were extreme fans and wanted to get a picture, put their hands on him. But in no way is it appropriate for people to leave the stands, even more to put their hands on someone else.”
The arrest affidavits did not say why the fans ran onto the field.
Acuña tied career highs with four hits and five RBI, hitting his 29th home run and stealing two bases to increase his major league-leading total to 61. He is one homer shy of becoming the first 30/60 player.
YANKEES: Third baseman Josh Donaldson’s unproductive two seasons with the New York Yankees ended when the former AL MVP was released.
The 37-year-old hit .207 with 25 homers and 77 RBI over 165 games in two seasons since he was acquired from Minnesota in March 2022 along with infielder/outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt for catcher Gary Sánchez and infielder Gio Urshela.
Donaldson played in just 33 games this season. The three-time All-Star was on the injured list from April 5 to June 2 because of a strained right hamstring, then went back on the IL on July 16 with a strained right calf sustained while running out a grounder. He was moved four days later to the 60-day IL.
Donaldson hit .142 with 15 RBI this year. Ten of his 15 hits were home runs. In his first season with the Yankees, he batted .222 with 15 homers and 62 RBI.
New York is responsible for the $3,838,710 Donaldson is owed from a $21 million salary in the final guaranteed season of a $92 million, four-year contract he signed with Minnesota. New York also owes a $6 million buyout attached to a $24 million mutual option for 2024.
• Speedy center fielder Harrison Bader was placed on waivers by the Yankees, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press.
Teams have until 2 p.m. Thursday to claim the 29-year-old, who is eligible for free agency after the World Series. A club taking over Bader’s contract on Thursday would owe $758,065 of his $4.7 million salary.
A player must be in an organization before midnight Thursday to be eligible for a postseason roster.
BLUE JAYS: All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette was put on the 10-day injured list because of a strained right quadriceps.
Toronto made the move retroactive to Monday and selected the contract of infielder Mason McCoy from Triple-A Buffalo.
Bichette leads the Blue Jays with a .314 batting average and 152 hits. His 18 home runs are second on Toronto, two shy of Vladimir Guerrero.
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