Sports: Baseball briefs

Baseball briefs

Compiled from Times wires

Marlins get behind new park plan

MIAMI -- Florida Marlins owner John Henry approved a plan that calls for Miami to use property tax money to help fund a 40,000-seat, retractable-roof ballpark.

Miami Mayor Joe Carollo wanted Henry's approval before unveiling the plan Tuesday.

Miami residents will be asked in a referendum to approve a refinancing and 30-year extension of the city's bond debt, as well as a 40-year extension of a city parking surcharge that raises $13-million annually.

The extension of the bond debt would raise $326-million, $148-million of which would go to stadium construction, Miami City Manager Carlos Gimenez said. The rest of the funds would be used for infrastructure improvement.

Miami-Dade County has pledged $118-million in hotel tax money, and Henry said the team will give $120-million to the effort.

Residents will vote on the referendum within 45 days of city commission approval of the plan, and Carollo said he will call a special commission meeting in the next 10 days to discuss the proposal.

Meanwhile, Marlins general manager Dave Dombrowski reduced a list of 40 managerial candidates to 15 after meeting with his staff. RELOCATION STUDY: The Orioles would lose about 1,000 fans per game if a team relocated to Washington or northern Virginia, according to a report. The report, issued by a group that has pushed for a franchise for the heavily populated Virginia suburbs for seven years, says the Orioles would lose little corporate and sponsorship money. The Orioles said the numbers are way off.

BRAVES: Right-hander Chris Seelbach was sent to the minors as Atlanta decided to carry 12 pitchers after John Smoltz's comeback from elbow surgery. ... Second baseman Quilvio Veras stretched his hitting streak to 12 games, tying a career high.

EXPOS: Outfielder Tim Raines plans to have arthroscopic surgery today on his injured left shoulder and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

METS: Second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo sat out with back spasms and remains day to day.

PIRATES: Right-hander Francisco Cordova is scheduled to have season-ending reconstructive elbow surgery next week.

REDS: For the second time in 12 days, Ken Griffey worked out in the outfield, but "don't jump to any conclusions," he said. He said the real test will be when he chases balls hit in the gaps in his next session.

ROCKIES: Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth had an MRI exam for a deep bruise on his right shin, and team doctors were reviewing the results to decide when he could return to the lineup.

TIGERS: Outfielder Bobby Higginson (strained ribcage) ran in the outfield and remains on track to be activated when he is eligible Tuesday. ... Right-hander Brian Moehler has inflammation in his pitching shoulder and will be shut down for 10 days.

YANKEES: Right-hander Orlando Hernandez returned to New York because of inflammation of a left toe.