Puerto Rican Capital Site for ’01 Opener?

The Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers are likely to open the 2001 regular season in San Juan, Puerto Rico, several baseball officials said.

“There’s a willingness to participate. It’s just a matter of getting the details done,” Blue Jay General Manager Gord Ash said.

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Montreal Expo owner Jeffrey Loria wouldn’t directly respond to a report he plans to fire Manager Felipe Alou after the season, saying it was speculation.

“Felipe is a real professional. He wants to get through the end of the year, and so do I. Then we’ll see what, if anything, has to be done to make the team better,” Loria said.

Loria, who is feuding with his co-owners, suggested the Expos will remain in Montreal next season.

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Roger Clemens, who came out of Monday’s game in the eighth inning when his left hamstring cramped, is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against Minnesota . . . San Diego put second baseman Bret Boone on the disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 27, because of a bruised right knee . . . Todd Stottlemyre was activated from the disabled list by Arizona . . . Chris Young, a 6-foot-11 right-hander from Princeton, agreed to a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. . . Pirate third baseman Aramis Ramirez was put on the disabled list because of a separated left shoulder. . . . Atlanta Brave pitcher Kevin Millwood will miss his next start after breaking his nose at a batting cage at Turner Field Monday.