Notes

— PADRES

MLB owners approve team’s sale

DENVER - Major League Baseball owners approved the sale of the San Diego Padres on Thursday to a group that includes the O’Malleyfamily and pro golfer Phil Mickelson.

Commissioner Bud Selig announced the endorsement after the conclusion of the owners meetings in Denver.

Under the deal, the group will buy the franchise from John Moores for around $800 million. The final closing of the sale will be on orbefore Aug. 31.

The new ownership group includes Kevin and Brian O’Malley, the sons of former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley. Peter and Tom Seidler - the nephews of Peter O’Malley - also will be involved in the deal. Two of the four are expected to move to San Diego.

“This group knows what it takes to compete,” Selig said. “They’re very optimistic. I’m optimistic. I’ve gone over their projections, gone over everything. I think their projections are optimistic, but realistic. This is a good day for baseball.

“I think Padres fans have a right to be very happy today - very happy.”

Ron Fowler, chief executive of Liquid Investments, is set to become controlling owner and executive chairman, Peter Seidler said. He also gave a vote of confidence to CEO Tom Garfinkel and General Manager Josh Byrnes.

PIRATES

Walker ailing with hand injury

PITTSBURGH - Second baseman Neil Walker was out of the lineup a day after dislocating a finger, and Pittsburgh added an infielder and a reliever before its game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

The team recalled right-hander Jared Hughes and utility player Yamaico Navarro from Class AAA Indianapolis. Reliever Chad Qualls was placed on the bereavement list and left-hander Jeff Locke was optioned to the minors.

Walker visited a hand specialist Thursday morning a day after the pinkie on his right hand needed to be popped back into place when he fell awkwardly on it while attempting to turn a double play.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Walker would not go on the disabled list, but he was to be further evaluated.

ORIOLES

Betemit placed on DL

BALTIMORE - Infielder Wilson Betemit has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Baltimore Orioles with a wrist injury.

Betemit has torn cartilage in his right wrist, and a magnetic resonance imaging also revealed “a pretty significant bone bruise,” according to Orioles Manager Buck Showalter.

The move, announced Thursday, is retroactive to Aug. 12. Showalter expects Betemit to return Aug. 27, when he’s eligible to leavethe DL.

Betemit is batting .264 with 12 home runs and 37 RBI in 97 games with Baltimore. He’s played first base, third base and left field.

The Orioles recalled 25-year-old first baseman Joe Mahoney from Class AAA Norfolk to fill out the roster. Mahoney made his major league debut July 7 against the Los Angeles Angels, going 0 for 3 before being optioned to Norfolk two days later.

BLUE JAYS/ASTROS

Comer to Houston closes trade

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays shipped right-handed pitcher Kevin Comer to the Houston Astros on Thursday to complete a 10-player trade made last month.

Toronto got pitchers J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon and David Carpenter in the deal made July 20. Along with Comer, the Astros received Francisco Cordero and outfielder Ben Francisco, along with four minor-league players.

The 20-year-old Comer is in his first professional season, having posted a 3-3 record with a 3.95 ERA in 10 games, including seven starts, for Bluefield in the Appalachian League.

METS/RED SOX

RHP Beato sent to Boston

CINCINNATI - The New York Mets sent right-hander Pedro Beato to Boston on Thursday to complete the trade in which they acquired catcher Kelly Shoppach on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Beato opened the season on the disabled list because of shoulder stiffness. He was activated June 6 and pitched for Class AAA Buffalo before being recalled July 4. He had a 10.38 ERA in 4 1/3 innings over seven games with the Mets before being optioned to Buffalo on July 24.

Sports, Pages 22 on 08/17/2012

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