Senate probes deal with DirecTV

Sen. John Kerry urged baseball to hold off on a deal to put the sport's "Extra Innings" package of out-of-market games exclusively on DirecTV, but the sport's No. 2 official wouldn't make a commitment.

The Massachusetts Democrat made the push at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing he chaired yesterday in an effort to keep the games on cable TV and EchoStar's Dish Network.

The dispute revolves largely over how many homes will receive baseball's new television network in 2009, with DirecTV agreeing to carry it on a basic tier available to about 15 million homes. The company also would own 20 percent of the channel.

Rob Jacobson, the iN Demand president whose company is owned by affiliates of the companies that own Time Warner, Comcast and Cox cable systems, offered to carry the package on the same terms that DirecTV is for the next two seasons while putting off the issue of The Baseball Channel until it launches.

"This would ensure that for the next 2 years at least, all baseball fans would have access to the 'Extra Innings' package," he said. "If we're unable to reach an agreement when the channel launches, we'd give baseball the right to cancel the 'Extra Innings' deal. We think this is a fair compromise."

Kerry, trying to play the role of mediator, got behind the effort.

"What's the matter with that?" he asked Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer.

"We believe that DirecTV has the right to begin to help us build the channel," DuPuy answered, adding that the cable industry had 9 months to negotiate a deal.

Kerry pressed the issue, suggesting that the status quo be kept in place while the sides tried to work out a deal. DuPuy wouldn't agree to that, although he said "our door remains open" for a resolution.

Baseball gave other incumbent carriers until the end of the month to match the $700 million, 7-year deal it announced with DirecTV on March 8. iN Demand last week made an offer it said matched the deal, but baseball rejected the proposal, saying it wanted iN Demand to match the percentage of basic-tier subscribers projected to receive the package on DirecTV, a far greater number than the DirecTV total.

* Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Freddy Sanchez, relieved there is no damage to his right knee other than a previously diagnosed sprained ligament, said he is resigned to missing Opening Day, but the National League batting champion hopes to return to the lineup sometime next week.

Meanwhile, Pirates reliever Masumi Kuwata can't throw for 4 to 6 weeks after badly spraining his right ankle.

* The Washington Nationals purchased the contracts of first baseman Dmitri Young and lefthanded reliever Ray King from Triple A Columbus.

In another matter, centerfielder Nook Logan said he thinks he can be in the Opening Day lineup, despite a groin injury.

* Righthander Wade Miller will be the Chicago Cubs' fifth starter, manager Lou Piniella said, which means one-time 18-game winner Mark Prior could start the season in the minor leagues.

* The Orioles obtained catcher Alberto Castillo from the Boston Red Sox in a trade for outfielder Cory Keylor, Baltimore's minor league player of the year in 2006.

In another matter, outfielder Jay Payton could start the season on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, although he's still holding out hope of returning within a week or two.

* Cleveland Indians righthanded reliever Matt Miller will miss 3 to 4 weeks with a muscle strain in his right forearm.

* Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer's latest MRI exam showed his brain tumor has not grown. He was set to have his first vaccine shot yesterday as part of a clinical trial.

* Pitcher Danny Almonte, 20, who gained notoriety for playing in the 2001 Little League World Series at age 14, 2 years older than the limit, signed a deal with the Southern Illinois Miners. *