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Baseball

Colon-to-Marlins deal teeters on health of Penny's arm

The Expos and Marlins have a trade in the works that would send 20-game winner Bartolo Colon to Florida for right-hander Brad Penny and three others, ESPN.com reported Thursday, but there is a catch.

The deal also involves Cincinnati, which would obtain Penny from Montreal for minor-league pitcher Luke Hudson and send another minor-league pitcher to Florida. Because of concerns they have about Penny's throwing arm, the Reds will review his medical records before deciding whether to sign off on the deal, ESPN.com reported. The Expos also would obtain from Florida left-hander Blaine Neal, minor-league first baseman and former No. 1 draft pick Adrian Gonzalez and minor-league right-hander Don Levinski.

Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest told the Associated Press: "At this time we are not optimistic about landing Bartolo Colon. I don't know if that involves further discussion or not. We have certainly made an effort here. We have had discussions, but I don't know where it goes from here."

Pax is home to Rays games

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast 65 regular-season games on Pax network's WXPX-Ch. 66 this year. The broadcast schedule, including games on Fox Sports Net Florida, should be released this month. Pax replaces WMOR-Ch. 32 and WTSP-Ch. 10.

HERNANDEZ RELEASED ON BAIL: Giants pitcher Livan Hernandez was out on bond after he was charged with trying to hit a warehouse owner with several golf clubs.

Hernandez, 27, posted $10,000 bond and was released from Miami-Dade County Jail late Wednesday, state attorney's office spokesman Ed Griffith said. Hernandez is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 29.

Hernandez was charged with felony aggravated assault and battery on Francisco Martinez after he got into a scuffle Wednesday with the 65-year-old man, police said. Each charge carries up to five years in prison.

Hernandez disputed the allegations Thursday. "He was looking for problems with me. He came after me," Hernandez said in Spanish during a news conference.

D'BACKS: Pitcher Elmer Dessens signed a two-year $7.3-million contract with a club option for 2005.

INDIANS: Outfielder Shane Spencer has reached a preliminary agreement, provided he passes his physical, for one year. Terms weren't given.

METS: Reliever John Franco threw 20 pitches off a bullpen mound. Franco, a 42-year-old left-hander rehabilitating from ligament replacement surgery in his throwing elbow, is not expected to throw off the mound again until spring training.

PHILLIES: Tickets for the last regular-season game scheduled for Veterans Stadium (Sept. 28 vs. Atlanta) sold out.

RANGERS: Free-agent outfielder Jim Rushford signed a minor-league contract and was invited to spring training.

ROYALS: Free-agent catcher Mike DiFelice, a former Devil Rays player, agreed to a minor-league contract and was invited to spring training.

CARRASQUEL INJURED: Two gunmen beat former shortstop Chico Carrasquel during a carjacking last weekend in Caracas, Venezuela. The 74-year-old Carrasquel, who in 1951 became the first Latin American to play in the All-Star Game, was treated for minor injuries.

EX-UMP IN HOSPITAL: Former American League umpire Durwood Merrill, 61, was in critical condition at a Texas hospital after a massive heart attack Sunday.

-- Times staff writer Kevin Kelly contributed to this report.

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