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Pavano’s no Tommy John

New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano continues to be sidelined by arm soreness. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
From Wire Reports The Spokesman-Review
New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano continues to be sidelined by arm soreness. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Carl Pavano left New York to see noted sports orthopedist Dr. James Andrews at his second office in Pensacola, Fla., but as of game time Friday, that was all the information the Yankees or his agent had.

Pavano had an MRI on his elbow when he complained of discomfort two weeks ago. GM Brian Cashman said the images were sent to Andrews for a second opinion, and that Andrews agreed with the Yankees’ diagnosis of a forearm strain.

But now Pavano believes the pain is more in his elbow, raising the worst-case possibility of Tommy John surgery, which essentially would put Pavano on the shelf for the final two years of his four-year, $39.95-million deal.

“Clearly this hasn’t worked out, and there’s no doubt about that,” a frustrated Cashman said. “We signed a player we expected to be a horse in our rotation and it hasn’t worked out. He physically hasn’t held up, period.”

Marlins’ bid fails

The Florida state Legislature ignored the Marlins’ bid for a $60 million state subsidy to help build a new ballpark, the sixth time the team failed to secure the money since 2000.

For the second straight year, the proposal got halfway home. It cleared the House last week but failed Friday – the last day of the annual 60-day session – in the Senate.

The team, City of Miami and Miami-Dade County have committed to paying $460 million of the $490 million project. The remaining $30 million would have come from bonds backed by the $60 million in state money.

Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello said team officials had no comment.

Clearing the bases

The Los Angeles Angels placed outfielder Garret Anderson (hip flexor) on the disabled list. … Philadelphia closer Tom Gordon (rotator cuff) was put on the disabled list. … Baltimore pitcher Adam Loewen will be sidelined for much of the season with a stress fracture in his pitching elbow. … Florida right-hander Anibal Sanchez was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he’ll try to rediscover the form that helped him throw a no-hitter as a rookie last year. … Oakland placed designated hitter Mike Piazza (shoulder sprain) on the disabled list.