Sale of Nationals Set for Approval

The $450-million sale of the Washington Nationals was set to be approved by baseball owners today after it won unanimous endorsements from the sport’s ownership committee and executive council.

Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer, said after Wednesday’s committee meetings in New York that he expects the Nationals will be transferred to the group headed by Theodore Lerner and Stan Kasten between June 15 and the All-Star break in July.

Baseball’s other 29 teams purchased the Montreal Expos for $120 million in 2002 from Jeffrey Loria, who bought the Florida Marlins from John Henry, who headed the group that took over the Boston Red Sox. The Expos later moved to Washington.

There was also a long discussion on labor. The collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 19, and there have been several meetings between management and the union that DuPuy described as “informational” rather than negotiations.

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The Minnesota Twins sent right-hander Kyle Lohse to triple-A Rochester.

Lohse is 2-4 with an 8.92 earned-run average in eight starts.

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The Milwaukee Brewers placed J.J. Hardy on the 15-day disabled list, one day after the shortstop severely sprained his right ankle on a play at home plate against Philadelphia. He is expected to miss two to six weeks.

Atlanta Brave pitcher Kyle Davies will need surgery for a torn groin muscle after being injured during Monday’s start against Florida, the team said. He was put on the 15-day disabled list, but there was no timetable for his return.

Infielder Ramon Vazquez was sent to triple-A Buffalo by the Cleveland indians, who called up veteran utility man Lou Merloni.