Selig says Expos’ fate forthcoming

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig expressed confidence Thursday that a new home for the Montreal Expos will be selected by mid-July.

After missing targets for decisions in 2002 and 2003, baseball officials finally appear to be moving ahead. Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia appear to be the leading contenders.

Montreal, among the lowest-drawing clubs for more than a decade, was bought by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season. The Expos also are being sought by Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk, Va.; Portland; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Asked whether the team would have a new permanent home by next year, Selig responded: “I do feel comfortable. … absolutely.”

Prior throws three hitless innings

Chicago Cubs ace Mark Prior threw three hitless innings Thursday in his first minor-league rehabilitation start of the season.

Prior, on the disabled list all year with an inflamed Achilles’ tendon and a sore elbow, said there was “room for improvement” after his outing for Class-A Lansing of the Midwest League. He struck out five and walked one, throwing 25 of 45 pitches for strikes.

Prior threw mostly fastballs before a crowd of 9,823.

•The Chicago Cubs aren’t taking any chances with Kerry Wood.

Wood went on the disabled list after the Cubs decided they didn’t want the right-hander returning to the rotation until his sore triceps is completely healed. Wood threw 24 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday morning to see if he was ready to come back, possibly as early as Sunday.