Blue Jay Sale Imminent, Owners Say

The Toronto Blue Jays are about to be sold by their Belgian brewery owners to a Toronto group led by real estate developer Murray Frum.

Hugo Powell, chief operating officer for the Americas of Interbrew NV, said Thursday that the deal is near completion.

The Blue Jays became Interbrew’s property when the brewer purchased Canada’s John Labatt Ltd. two years ago.

“It was an accident of Labatt ownership,” said Powell.

At Thursday’s meeting, a $185-million purchase was mentioned, which Powell refused to confirm or deny.

But he said the deal with the Frum consortium, which needs approval from the other baseball owners, is nearing conclusion.

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An MRI examination on the right shoulder of San Diego Padre ace Joey Hamilton revealed a bruise but no damage to the rotator cuff. . . . Seattle Mariner pitcher Tim Davis was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained ligament in his left elbow. The Mariners recalled pitcher Derek Lowe from triple-A Tacoma.

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Steve Howe, 39, whose career was interrupted by seven drug or alcohol-related suspensions, agreed to a contract with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the independent Northern League. Howe, released by the New York Yankees last June, will report to the South Dakota club May 16.