Deal Is Close for Yankees’ New Stadium

The New York Yankees are close to reaching an agreement with city and state governments to build a new stadium, the New York Daily News reported Saturday.

Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported that lawyers from the city, state and team are completing a “memorandum of understanding” and that an announcement is expected around May 1.

While government and team officials did not comment directly about plans or the pending agreement, the newspaper said they did confirm that they are in the final stages.

“We’re working very closely with the city and the state and trying to finalize our current plan,” Yankee President Randy Levine told the Daily News. “We expect to announce it in the near future, and we hope to break ground in 2006 and be ready to play in 2009.”

The new stadium will be built just north of the existing facility in the Bronx, and is designed to seat 50,800. That’s smaller than the current capacity of 57,478, but the new ballpark will have more luxury suites.

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The Cleveland Indians activated left-hander C.C. Sabathia from the 15-day disabled list. Sabathia, who had been sidelined because of a strained muscle in his right side, did not make an official spring start after being injured March 6 while warming up for a game against Detroit.... The Arizona Diamondbacks put outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., who has a lower back strain, on the 15-day disabled list, and recalled infielder Scott Hairston from triple-A Tucson.... The Kansas City Royals put closer Jeremy Affeldt on the 15-day disabled list because of a left groin strain. He was pulled from Friday night’s game against Detroit because of the injury.