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OAKLAND, Calif. - The woman whose nose was broken when Rangers reliever Frank Francisco threw a chair into the stands said Wednesday she plans to seek compensation for her injuries once prosecutors and baseball officials complete their investigation.
Francisco, who made his initial appearance in court Wednesday after police booked him on a charge of felony aggravated assault, might file a civil suit, his attorney said.
Meanwhile, Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Norbert Chu said he needed more time to investigate before deciding whether to formally charge Francisco.
Jennifer Bueno, 41, appeared with her husband, Craig, at a news conference with a large white bandage covering her nose and purple rings under her eyes.
"We definitely feel the Texas Rangers are responsible for this and that they should pay for this," personal injury lawyer Gary Gwilliam said.
During Texas' 7-6, 10-inning loss to Oakland on Monday, Francisco threw a chair into the rightfield box seats and hit two spectators in the head.
Craig Bueno acknowledged that before the fracas, he was part of some "bantering" with the Rangers that included such taunts as, "Who is going to take the loss?" and, "When are you going to lose?" but "no swear words."
Francisco's attorney, Rick Minkoff, said Francisco rushed out of the dugout to defend his teammates and was pushed against a fence in the crush of fans and players.
EXPOS MOVE: Lawyers for the team's former limited partners plan to ask a federal judge to block Major League Baseball from moving it. The commissioner's office told the U.S. District Court in Miami it intends to relocate the Expos for 2005 but did not specify where.
ROLEN INJURY LINGERS: After a visit to the Cardinals' team physician, Scott Rolen's day-to-day calf strain became a longer term injury. The third baseman missed his fourth straight start and is expected to be sidelined at least another week after an examination by Dr. George Paletta.
UMP FALLS ILL: Plate umpire Brian O'Nora became ill during the Braves-Mets game, causing a nine-minute delay. O'Nora was helped off, and no emergency personnel came on the field to help.
MARLINS: Right-hander A.J. Burnett will miss his scheduled start Friday with elbow inflammation. Burnett returned from reconstructive elbow surgery June 3.
PADRES: Shortstop Khalil Greene, the leading NL Rookie of the Year candidate, has a broken bone in his right index finger that is expected to keep him out for the rest of the regular season.
PHILLIES: First baseman Jim Thome bruised his chest when he collided with catcher Todd Pratt while grabbing a popup in the first against the Reds. He said he doesn't expect to miss any time.
RED SOX: Third baseman Bill Mueller flew to Arizona for a second opinion on his sore right knee. ... The team sold out its 81-game home schedule for the first time in its 103-year history.
ROYALS: Outfielder Matt Stairs signed a $1.2-million, one-year extension.