New Schedules Don’t List 22 Umpires Who Resigned

The American and National leagues have given the umpires’ union a new schedule for work assignments, several baseball officials said Thursday, and after Wednesday, it doesn’t list the 22 umpires whose resignations were accepted.

Baseball’s lawyers say the resignations, which were effective next Thursday, begin at the start of that day. The union contends that even if it is determined that owners legally accepted the resignations, they don’t take effect until after that day’s games.

Some baseball officials are worried that some of the departing umpires may create confrontations next Thursday, and attempt to work games.

Teams have been told to have alternate umpires in ballparks ready to work the games, just in case of a mass walkout. Some of the NL umpires who are not scheduled to depart have discussed striking in support of their colleagues.

“We figure we have some options,” Crawford said.

“I don’t think I’m ready to tell the world what we’ll do.”

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Despite reaching the World Series for the first time in 14 years, the San Diego Padres claimed they had a net operating loss of $6.9 million last year.

The club also said its cash shortfall exceeded $16 million, an amount majority owner John Moores and his family, and Larry Lucchino, the president and a minority owner, had to borrow and/or contribute to pay the club’s bills. Moores and Lucchino have put $65 million into the team since buying it on Dec. 21, 1994, the team said.

“It says a lot about baseball,” Moores said. “We obviously did not factor that [winning the pennant] into our business plan.

“We had a lot of extra revenue from the playoffs and still lost a ton of money.

“I think most fans shouldn’t care and I don’t think they do, but it speaks a lot about the terrific competitive imbalance.”

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Texas Ranger right-hander Mark Clark, on the disabled list because of a torn ligament in his elbow, and outfielder Mike Simms, disabled because of a a heel injury, were assigned to the minors on rehabilitation assignments. . . . Left-hander Jim Poole, who had two previous stints with the Indians, agreed to a minor league contract with the team. . . . The Chicago Cubs put right-hander Kevin Tapani on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore lower back and recalled right-handed reliever Rodney Myers from triple-A Iowa. . . . As expected, Houston outfielder Richard Hidalgo had surgery on his left knee and will sit out the rest of the season. . . . The San Diego Padres purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Buddy Carlyle and recalled left-hander Heath Murray from triple-A Las Vegas. To make room on the roster, the Padres optioned infielder Ed Giovanola and right-hander Stan Spencer to Las Vegas. . . . The Florida Marlins released catcher Jorge Fabregas and recalled catcher Ramon Castro from triple-A Calgary.