NEW YORK - Yunel Escobar was suspended for three games Tuesday by the Toronto Blue Jays for wearing eye-black displaying a homophobic slur written in Spanish during last Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox.

Pictures posted online showed the Blue Jays shortstop with the message written in his eye-black, a sticker players wear under their eyes to reduce glare from the sun. The slur did not appear to be directed at any person in particular.

The Blue Jays are in New York to play the Yankees later Tuesday. The punishment was announced during a news conference at Yankee Stadium.