Class Aaa

Peter Kirk's pursuit of a Class AAA expansion franchise to play in the Annapolis-Bowie area apparently has come to an end. Yesterday, an expansion committee that has been studying five possible sites for two new teams recommended that they be awarded to Charlotte, N.C., and Ottawa.Other finalists were Birmingham, Ala., and Tulsa, Okla.The expansion committee's recommendation is not binding on National Association president Sal Artiaga, who ultimately will decide where the two teams are located.

BaseballChicago Cubs -- Placed P Danny Jackson (lower abdominal strain) on the DL, retroactive to June 20. Called up P Frank Castillo (3-1, 2.52 ERA) from Class AAA Iowa.Detroit Tigers -- Signed P Justin Thompson and assigned him to rookie league Bristol.Houston Astros -- Optioned former Baltimore Orioles P Curt Schilling (3-5, 4.86 in 28 games) to Class AAA Tucson. Activated P Xavier Hernandez from the 15-day DL.New York Mets -- Optioned P Rich Sauveur (10.80 in 6 games) to Class AAA Tidewater.

BaseballAtlanta Braves -- Claimed P Rick Mahler off waivers.Baltimore Orioles -- Placed OF Dwight Evans (sore left Achilles' tendon) on 15-day DL. Activated OF Brady Anderson from 15-day DL.Boston Red Sox -- Signed C Scott Hatteberg, C James Lentz, P Sheridan Bush, P Terry Horn, P Chad Schoenvogel, P Cesar Martinez, OF Jermaine Johnson and OF Donny Jones.Cincinnati Reds -- Traded 1B Reggie Jefferson (.143 in 7 AB) to the Cleveland Indians for 1B Tim Costo. Assigned Costo to Class AA Chattanooga.

BaseballBaltimore Orioles -- Signed OF James Audley, OF Curtis Goodwin, OF Glenn Tatro, OF Basilio Ortiz, P David Forney, P Scott Conner, C Stephen Tallman and 1B Jeremy Winget.Boston Red Sox -- Recalled P Jeff Plympton from Class AAA Pawtucket.California Angels -- Placed P Fernando Valenzuela on the 15-day DL with abnormal blood flow in the region of his heart.Kansas City Royals -- Signed OF Jeffrey Leonard to a contract with Class AAA Omaha.Los Angeles Dodgers -- Assigned the contract of C Barry Lyons to Class AAA Albuquerque.

BaseballAtlanta Braves -- Signed OF Glenn Wilson (.245to contract with Class AAA Richmond.Cleveland Indians -- Placed 1B Keith Hernandez, P John Farrell and P Rudy Seanez on 15-day disabled list.Detroit Tigers -- Optioned P Dan Gakeler to Class AAA Toledo. Placed OF Chet Lemon on waivers for purpose of giving him unconditional release. Claimed IF Luis de los Santos off waivers from Kansas City Royals.Houston Astros -- Optioned OF Eric Anthony, OF Javier Ortiz and OF Gerald Young to Class AAA Tucson.

The Baltimore Orioles signed a pair of minor-league free agents yesterday.Right-handed pitcher Greg Mayberry, 25, who was the Los Angeles Dodgers' first-round pick in the 1984 June free-agent draft, signed a Class AAA Rochester Red Wings contract. He was 4-7 with a 5.66 ERA for the Class AAA Albuquerque Dukes before becoming a six-year minor-league free agent.The Orioles also signed left-handed-hitting catcher Jeff Gay, who recently was released by the California Angels after batting .241 in 81 games for the Class A Quad City Angels.

BaseballLos Angeles Dodgers -- Placed SS Alfredo Griffin (.228 in 24 games; injured big toe on left foot moving furniture) on 15-day DL. Recalled SS Jose Offerman (.375 in 20 games) from Class AAA Albuquerque.Minnesota Twins -- Waived OF Carmen Castillo (.231 in 12 AB) for purpose of giving him unconditional release. Recalled OF Pedro Munoz from Class AAA Portland.Oakland Athletics -- Placed P Dave Stewart (2-2, 5.58 ERA; pulled muscle in left side) on DL for first time in 11-year career, retroactive to Wednesday.

BaseballBaseball Hall of Fame -- Named former P Robin Roberts and William Gladstone, co-chief executive of Ernst & Young, to the board of directors.California Angels -- Realled P Joe Grahe from Class AAA Edmonton. Optioned OF Bobby Rose (.288 in 52 AB) to Edmonton.Detroit Tigers -- Signed OF John Moses. Optioned P Rusty Meacham (2-1, 5.20 ERA) to Class AAA Toledo.Kansas City Royals -- Placed SS Kurt Stillwell (bruised left heel) on the 15-day DL. Designated P Wes Gardner (0-0, 1.59 ERA) for assignment.

BaseballAtlanta Braves -- Agreed to terms with OF Ron Gant on a one-year contract.Baltimore Orioles -- Agreed to terms with IF Manny Alexander and IF Ricky Gutierrez on one-year contracts.Cincinnati Reds -- Agreed to terms with P Tim Layana on a one-year contract.Houston Astros -- Agreed to terms with P Mark Portugal on a one-year contract.Kansas City Royals -- Agreed to terms with P Tom Gordon and C Mike Macfarlane on one-year contracts.Los Angeles Dodgers -- Signed P Jim Neidlinger to a contract with Class AAA Albuquerque.

BaseballNational League -- Suspended Atlanta Braves OF Otis Nixon 4 games and Philadelphia Phillies P Wally Ritchie 1 game for their part in brawl Tuesday.California Angels -- Added P Fernando Valenzuela to roster. Optioned P Cliff Young to Class AAA Edmonton.Cleveland Indians -- Sent C Sandy Alomar (inflammation and irritation of right rotator cuff) to Class AAA Colorado Springs for 20-day rehabilitation assignment.Houston Astros -- Purchased contract of P Mike Capel from Tucson of the Pacific Coast League.