Apr 4, 2014 2 min read

Yasiel Puig was scratched from the starting lineup after arriving late for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ home opener Friday.

The rest of the team was already on the field stretching before batting practice while Puig was getting dressed in the clubhouse. He had been slated to start in right field for the afternoon game against the San Francisco Giants, who beat the Dodgers 8-4.

“I’m sincerely sorry,” Puig said through a translator after the game, explaining that he didn’t realize stretching and batting practice would be held so early with a 1 p.m. start.

Puig said he apologized to manager Don Mattingly and his teammates, and they accepted.

“They felt it was OK when I owned up to it and apologized,” he said. “I felt bad I wasn’t out there playing for all the fans.”

“He truly felt bad,” said manager Don Mattingly. “You can tell by his body language; he doesn’t hide things well.”

Cleveland 7, Minnesota 2: Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, two batters after Yan Gomes connected for a solo shot, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 7-2 home-opening win over the Minnesota Twins.

Kansas City 7, Chicago White Sox 5: Alex Gordon drove in three runs and Jeremy Guthrie pitched effectively into the sixth inning as the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 7-5 in their home opener.

Miami 8, San Diego 2: Giancarlo Stanton hit a long home run to help lead the Miami Marlins to an 8-2 win over the San Diego Padres.