ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Braves have placed pitching coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave pending their investigation into homophobic comments and crude gestures he made toward fans before a game in San Francisco last weekend.

McDowell also is accused of threatening a fan who objected to his actions with a baseball bat. The former major league reliever apologized in a statement, but the team barred him from the bench heading into a three-game series against St. Louis.

The Braves' minor league pitching coordinator, Dave Wallace, will take over for McDowell during the investigation. Major League Baseball says it's waiting to hear from the team before deciding on possible penalties.

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