From combined dispatches
Miami city commissioners approved a plan to build a $639 million ballpark for the Florida Marlins on Thursday, nudging the long-debated stadium one step closer to reality.
With a 3-2 vote, the commission approved the 37,000-seat stadium on the site of the demolished Orange Bowl. Marlins president David Samson said the team hopes Miami-Dade County commissioners will give final approval to the project at a meeting next week.
The Marlins agreed to several requests from city commissioners, including a promise to employ local residents, to donate $500,000 to charily each year and to build community ballparks.
YANKEES: Pitcher Joba Chamberlain has had his arraignment on a drunken-driving charge rescheduled a third time.
Chamberlain failed to appear in Lancaster County Court in Lincoln, Neb., on Thursday. Judge Laurie Yardley reset the hearing for March 31 at the request of the lawyer for the pitcher, who is at spring training in Tampa, Fla.
RANGERS: Andruw Jones‘ time with Texas could end Friday.
Jones has a clause in his minor league contract that allows him to become a free agent Friday if the Rangers do not put him on the big league roster, which appears unlikely.
Jones is hitting .258 with one home run and two RBI in 13 spring games but has struck out 14 times in 31 at-bats. He hasn’t played in a Cactus League game this week; his only action has been in minor league games.
