MIAMI -- A group led by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Quogue Capital investment fund founder Wayne Rothbaum has halted its bid to buy the Miami Marlins, a person familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday.
The person confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the groups that have been involved in negotiations aren't commenting publicly. Massachusetts businessman Tagg Romney was part of the Bush-Rothbaum group before pulling out more than a month ago, the person said.
The latest twists in the Marlins sale saga leave groups led by former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and by South Florida businessman Jorge Mas still in contention to buy the franchise.
Marlins president David Samson declined to comment on the status of sale efforts, which became public in February.
Major League Baseball owners meet next week in Chicago, where the Marlins situation may be discussed. At the All-Star Game a month ago in Miami, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the team soon expected to choose a winning bid, and each group had offered about the same amount of money.
Jeter's group bid about $1.3 billion to buy the team from Jeffrey Loria but has not yet raised the money needed. Loria bought the Marlins for $158.5 million in 2002 from John Henry.
Nationals: Strasburg feels good after simulated game
WASHINGTON -- Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg said he felt good after a four-inning simulated start on Wednesday.
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Strasburg is on the 10-day disabled list with an elbow nerve impingement. He threw 57 pitches before Washington's game against the Miami Marlins.
"It feels really good," Strasburg said. "I'm definitely happy with it."
Strasburg, 10-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 20 starts, hasn't pitched since July 23, when he left his outing at Arizona after two innings.
Outfielder Jayson Werth batted against Strasburg on Wednesday. On the DL since June 4 with a left foot contusion, Werth said he expects to start a rehab assignment in the next week or two.
"I haven't been running for nine weeks now," Werth said. "Probably going to take some time to get the legs in shape, get up to speed."
Werth batted .262 with eight home runs and 18 RBIs in 47 games before the injury.
Yankees: Sabathia MRI shows no new damage to knee
TORONTO -- A scan showed no new damage to CC Sabathia's arthritic right knee, but the status of the New York Yankees left-hander for Sunday night's start against Boston remains unclear.
Forced from Tuesday's loss to Toronto after three innings, Sabathia returned to New York for an MRI on Wednesday. Manager Joe Girardi says the team was happy with the results, but he will wait until returning home Friday before making a decision on Sabathia's next turn.
"When you have a guy that has a banged-up knee, you worry that there's more damage," Girardi said.
Sabathia has worn his current knee brace since the second half of 2015. Eligible for free agency at the end of the World Series, the 17-year veteran is 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 19 starts.
"The key for him has been bringing stability back to the knee and the brace has been a big part of that," Girardi said. "But when you're landing and you have pain every pitch, you're going to have a hard time. That's what we saw last night, so we've got to knock that out" (see full story).
