MLB notes: Cubs not interested in move to suburbs

Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts thinks a move to the suburbs might be lucrative but says his team remains committed to refurbishing century-old Wrigley Field.

The Cubs won approval from Chicago’s City Council last July for a $500 million renovation that would include installation of a 5,700-square-foot video scoreboard at Wrigley, which turns 100 on April 23. The team also wants to erect a 650-square-foot sign in right field with a guarantee neighboring rooftop owners won’t slow construction with a lawsuit.

A member of the audience Tuesday at the MLB Diversity Business Summit asked a panel that included Ricketts about the Atlanta Braves’ planned move in 2017 from downtown to a suburban Cobb County and how the team could maintain a connection with the community near Turner Field.

Ricketts said the Cubs have been trying to avoid such an issue.

“We’ve been approached by several suburban sites and alternatives to move the Cubs to a new ballpark,” Ricketts said, “and although I haven’t studied it thoroughly, I imagine that’s probably an attractive proposition for us.

“But we’ve made it our priority to try to stay where we’re at,” he continued, “try to stay in the city because of what it does mean to the neighbors and what it does mean to the city, both economically and just from the standpoint of quality of life in general.”

Clearing the bases

The Indians activated outfielder Michael Bourn from the disabled list. To make room for Bourn, the Indians optioned outfielder Nyjer Morgan to Triple-A Columbus. Bourn missed Cleveland’s first 13 games with a strained left hamstring. … Rays left-hander Matt Moore will miss the remainder of the season after opting to have elbow-ligament replacement surgery. Moore, who made the A.L. All-Star team last year, hasn’t pitched since walking off the mound with elbow soreness on April 7 in Kansas City. Moore made his major league debut with Tampa Bay in 2011. His lifetime record is 29-17. … White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia has had season-ending left shoulder surgery. Garcia was batting .267 with two home runs, four RBIs and six runs in eight games this season. … The Cardinals have activated second baseman Mark Ellis from the 15-day disabled list. … Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia had a cortisone injection in his left wrist and hopes to return to Boston’s starting lineup tonight.