New Jersey Wants a Team of Its Own

New Jersey wants to bring a Major League Baseball team to the Meadowlands, a move the New York Yankees vowed to block.

Gov. James E. McGreevey said he supported the push by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

The rights of the Yankees and Mets would complicate a move to New Jersey. The Meadowlands site is about 10 miles from Yankee Stadium. The Yankees maintain that New Jersey is within their territorial rights.

“We will vigorously object and exercise all our rights if any attempts are made to put any major league team there,” Yankee President Randy Levine said.

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Chicago Cub pitcher Mark Prior threw off a mound for the first time since March 22.

Prior, on the disabled list because of a sore Achilles’ tendon and tender elbow, threw 10 pitches off the mound before the Cub game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also threw in the outfield.

“It’s just a baby step,” Prior said. “The progress is I at least had a release point today where I had an idea where the ball was going. My long toss felt pretty good. My arm strength is getting closer to where I’d like it to be.”

The Cubs are hoping to have the right-hander back by early May. Prior was 18-6 with a 2.43 earned-run average last year as the Cubs came within five outs of the World Series.

“We’re going to take it slow,” Prior said. “We’re not going to push it.”

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Texas pitcher Mickey Callaway was put on the 15-day disabled list, a day after he gave up six runs in 1 1/3 innings in a loss to Oakland.

The Rangers recalled right-hander Ryan Drese from triple-A Oklahoma, where he won his only start this season.

Callaway, the Rangers’ No. 5 starter, told team doctors after leaving Tuesday’s game that he felt tightness in his right forearm. Manager Buck Showalter said the right-hander was having problems feeling the baseball, possibly because of a problem with a nerve.

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Closer Ugueth Urbina was recalled from the minors by the Detroit Tigers after signing as a free agent March 27.

The Tigers also designated outfielder Andres Torres for assignment. He played in three games with Detroit after his contract was purchased from triple-A Toledo on April 7.

Urbina appeared in two games with Class-A Lakeland (Fla.), giving up three unearned runs and three hits in two innings.