Union rebuffs Mitchell's request

The baseball players union rebuffed a request from Sen. George Mitchell's staff to submit anonymous medical records to his steroids probe, according to several lawyers familiar with the negotiations.

Mitchell's staff, which has been investigating steroids in baseball for more than a year, has been seeking medical records for several months.

The union has not agreed to a request for anonymous records because players fear Mitchell's staff would use information in them such as age, height, weight and blood type to connect the records to specific players, the lawyers said.

Indians to honor Doby: First came No. 42, and No. 14 wasn't far behind.

Larry Doby, who followed Jackie Robinson across baseball's color barrier as the AL's first black player, will have his legacy honored when every member of the Cleveland Indians wears his number on Aug. 10.

Major League Baseball gave the Indians permission to wear Doby's retired No. 14, a tribute similar to the one on April 15 when the Los Angeles Dodgers and players on teams in both league's wore Robinson's No. 42 to mark the 60th anniversary of his major league debut with Brooklyn.

The Indians' commemoration for Doby will take place during their three-game series opener against the New York Yankees, starting off Hall of Fame/Heritage Weekend at Jacobs Field.

Larry Doby Jr. will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Each jersey worn by the Indians players and coaches will be autographed and auctioned off by Cleveland Indians Charities to benefit the Larry Doby RBI Program as well as a baseball scholarship fund in his name at Cleveland State.

Ryan out for season: Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan will miss the rest of the season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, a difficult blow for struggling Toronto.

Ryan, who signed a $47 million, five-year contract before the 2006 season, is expected to ready for spring training next year.

Giants' Roberts to have elbow surgery: Giants center fielder Dave Roberts has decided to have surgery on his troublesome left elbow, possibly keeping him out for four weeks.

Roberts said he could get the elbow cleaned out as soon as today or perhaps Monday. He made the decision after being examined by Angels orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles.

A's reach Fremont land agreement: The Oakland Athletics' plans to build a state-of-the-art baseball stadium moved a step closer to reality, with the team taking control of 168 more acres of land in suburban Fremont.

The A's signed an agreement to buy 143 acres from San Jose-based Cisco Systems Inc. and another 25 acres from Denver-based ProLogis. The team previously secured control of 58 acres in Fremont, about 20 miles south of the club's current home at the Oakland Coliseum.

Braden to start Saturday for Oakland: The Athletics said that left-hander Dallas Braden will be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

Braden is replacing Rich Harden, who is on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain, in the rotation.

Pie sent down to Triple-A: Rookie outfielder Felix Pie was sent down to Triple-A by the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Angel Pagan was recalled from Iowa.

The Cubs' most touted position prospect, Pie impressed the Cubs with his defense in center field. But he hit just .224 in 18 games since making his major league debut on April 17.