Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball believes the Dodgers do not have enough money to make their end of May payroll, the Associated Press reported.
The Los Angeles Times first reported that the Dodgers lacked the cash to make the May 31 payroll. If the Dodgers don't have the money, MLB would step in and make payroll, the AP reported.
MLB is investigating the team's finances under owner Frank McCourt.
"We've been assured that all their obligations will be met," union head Michael Weiner told the AP.
Commissioner Bud Selig and the man he appointed to monitor the Dodgers, Tom Schieffer, were to meet today. McCourt said in a statement to the AP that he blamed the commissioner's office for any financial issues.
"The fact that we had obligations coming due in 2011 was no surprise to us and no surprise to Major League Baseball," he said.
McCourt has publicly complained that Selig has refused to approve a 17-year contract with Fox that could be worth more than $3 billion, a deal that would include a front-loaded payment of about $300 million. His lawyers sent a letter to MLB putting his complaints in writing, a precursor to a possible lawsuit.
In more Dodgers news, RF Andre Ethier was pulled from the starting lineup because of an inflamed left elbow, putting his 29-game hitting streak on hold, and closer Jonathan Broxton won't pitch until after an MRI exam of his aching right elbow.
BLUE JAYS: RF Jose Bautista, out with neck spasms, might be ready to return to the lineup Saturday. 2B Aaron Hill, on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring, had six at-bats in an extended spring training game and could be activated Sunday.
METS: RH reliever Pedro Beato went on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his pitching elbow. The contract of LHP Mike O'Connor was purchased from Triple-A Buffalo.
PADRES: 2B Orlando Hudson went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. INF Logan Forsythe, a 2008 first-round pick, was recalled from Triple-A Tucson.
PHILLIES: LHP J.C. Romero, out since April 19 with a right calf strain, was activated, and RHP David Herndon was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
RANGERS: Cuban defector Leonys Martin finalized a $15.5 million, five-year contract, and the speedy centerfielder could be in Texas' lineup before the end of this season.
REDS: OF Fred Lewis, out all season with strained muscles in his right side, was activated, and OF Jeremy Hermida was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. … RHP Johnny Cueto, out since mid March with a triceps injury, is scheduled to come off the disabled list and rejoin the rotation Saturday. RHP Mike Leake will likely head to the bullpen.
TIGERS: RHP Joel Zumaya is scheduled to have exploratory elbow surgery next week and is expected to miss the season. The reliever hasn't pitched since fracturing his elbow June 28.
TWINS: DH Jim Thome went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle. Backup OF Jason Repko also went on the DL with a sore quadriceps.
YANKEES: RHP Phil Hughes, out with a tired arm, felt better after receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder last week but is still at least six to eight weeks away from rejoining the rotation.