Marlin President Ends Quest to Buy Team

Florida Marlin President Don Smiley said Wednesday he has ended his bid to buy the World Series champions, saying he couldn’t match a rival’s promise to keep the team in South Florida through at least 2010.

“I’ve never wanted to move the team out of South Florida,” Smiley said. “But I could not make that assurance. It wasn’t feasible to make on my group’s behalf.”

The move clears the way for Boca Raton commodities trader John Henry to negotiate exclusively with founding owner H. Wayne Huizenga for the six-year-old franchise. The two are reportedly close to a $150-million deal.

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The Chicago Cubs were dealt a blow when they learned Kerry Wood will miss his second consecutive start Friday because of a sore elbow.

Wood, who also missed his start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, tried to throw on the side Wednesday but stopped after five pitches.

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San Diego Padre outfielder Tony Gwynn has a sprained right thumb that will sideline him for seven to 10 days. The club feared that Gwynn had a bone chip, which would have ended his season and denied him his third playoff appearance.

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Pittsburgh second baseman Tony Womack, who leads the National League with 51 stolen bases, flew home to attend to a personal matter, the team said, and did not play against the Cubs. . . . The Cubs activated shortstop Jeff Blauser from the disabled list. He was out because of a sore elbow. . . . Philadelphia catcher Mike Lieberthal (pelvic injury) is out for the season. . . . New York Met catcher Todd Hundley was 11 for 22 with three homers and 12 RBIs for Norfolk, Va., of the International League last week.

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Seattle outfielder Rich Amaral’s season ended when he went on the 60-day disabled list because of a pulled left calf muscle. . . . Cleveland’s Jim Thome will take batting practice today for the first time since being put on the disabled list Aug. 7 and will begin a rehab assignment this weekend.