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MIAMI - For a change, the injury-plagued Marlins received good news from the doctor Thursday.
Right-hander Josh Beckett's arm ailment was diagnosed as an elbow sprain, and he'll be allowed to resume throwing in a week.
"I would put that as encouraging and good news," general manager Larry Beinfest said.
Beinfest said it was too soon to project when Beckett would start again, and he'll be placed on the 15-day disabled list. But MRI results could have been worse, as the Marlins know.
Last month they lost another young right-hander, A.J. Burnett, to season-ending reconstructive elbow surgery. A third starter, left-hander Mark Redman, is sidelined at least two more weeks with a broken thumb.
Beckett was examined in Birmingham, Ala., by orthopedist James Andrews, who operated on Burnett. The appointment was hastily scheduled after Beckett pitched one inning Wednesday night against San Francisco because of elbow discomfort.
D.C. bids for ExposWASHINGTON - The District of Columbia proposed a $338-million package Thursday in an effort to persuade baseball owners to move the Montreal Expos to the nation's capital.
The plan includes $275-million for a new ballpark and $15-million to renovate RFK Stadium, where the team would play until a new stadium is ready.
"We believe we'll see far more revenue than necessary to weather any vagaries ... like an economic downturn or a baseball strike," said Steve Green of the District of Columbia Office of Planning and Economic Development.
Washington, Northern Virginia and Portland, Ore., are seeking the Expos, who were bought by the other 29 teams before last season. Northern Virginia plans to issue $285-million in bonds to fund a $400-million ballpark, with the team paying the rest. The Oregon Legislature is considering a $150-million stadium financing package.
PIAZZA SHIFT POSSIBLE: After years of speculation, the Mets talked with All-Star catcher Mike Piazza about learning to play first base.
General manager Steve Phillips and manager Art Howe met with Piazza before the game.
"I thought it went very well," Piazza said. "Art and Steve were very candid and we all got on the same page. I told them I would do whatever needs to be done to help this organization."
BLUE JAYS: The team announced that Expedite Plus, a Toronto delivery company, has purchased all remaining 200 level seats in the outfield and all 500 level tickets to four upcoming games at SkyDome and is offering them to fans for $2 each.
D'BACKS: Infielder Craig Counsell is expected to recover completely after having a ligament in his right thumb repaired.
INDIANS: Cleveland activated outfielder Milton Bradley from the disabled list and put Karim Garcia on the DL with a strained left wrist that has bothered him all season.
MARINERS: Seattle activated right-hander Kazuhiro Sasaki from the 15-day disabled list. Manager Bob Melvin said the closer likely will be eased back to work in a nonsave situation.
REDS: Right-hander Jose Rijo has been slowed by a pulled hamstring during an extended spring training assignment in Florida but is expected to resume throwing next week.
YANKEES: Shortstop Derek Jeter went 1-for-4 with a run-scoring single in the second game of his rehabilitation stint with Double-A Trenton. ... Former Rays All-Star right-hander Rolando Arrojo signed a minor-league contract. He could join Triple-A Columbus next week.