Marlins Reportedly Up for Sale

After saying he was disappointed with attendance after spending $175 million to upgrade the team, Florida owner H. Wayne Huizenga is putting the Marlins up for sale, ESPN reported Wednesday, though a spokesman for the owner said no such decision had been made.

Huizenga said the Marlins will lose $30 million this season and warned that he may be forced to reduce payroll--or sell the franchise.

Stan Smith, spokesman for Huizenga Holdings, said the owner was meeting with associates from the Marlins this week and planned to meet again today. But no decision about a possible sale had been made as of Wednesday night, Smith said.

Marlin attendance has risen 30% this year, not including the recent sold-out interleague series against the New York Yankees, but Huizenga hoped for an even bigger increase.

*

Right-hander Reggie Harris was suspended for five games and fined $1,000 for comments he made after hitting Atlanta’s Andruw Jones with a pitch Sunday.

After the game, Harris, who was thrown out by umpire Joe West, admitted he hit Jones because the Braves’ Greg Maddux hit Philadelphia’s Scott Rolen the inning before. “An eye for an eye,” Harris said.

Harris tried to take his comments back the next day, but National League president Leonard Coleman wasn’t swayed.

Harris said he would appeal the suspension because, “I thought five days was a lot.”

The Phillies have reinstated right-handed pitcher Mike Grace from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to triple-A Scranton / Wilkes-Barre.