MLB Notebook: Auction of N.L. constitution delayed over ownership rights

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – An auction of the 1876 constitution that established the National League has been delayed because of a dispute over the document’s ownership.

The constitution of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was projected to fetch several million dollars at the auction set to open Wednesday.

But California’s SCP Auctions, which was running the sale, says someone has come forward to challenge the veracity of the title.

The auction house has said only that the owner was the family of a former longtime National League executive. They would not give the name of the person or group challenging the ownership.

Baseball historians say the document, largely the work of Chicago White Stockings owner William Hulbert, laid out the business model followed by all modern professional team sports.

Maddon, Cubs stay classy with ‘Anchorman’ themed road trip

For previous road trips, Joe Maddon has put his players in onesie pajamas and zany suits. This time, his Chicago Cubs are staying classy.

Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and company will pay homage to the Channel 4 news team, dressing as characters from the movie “Anchorman” on their upcoming trip to Southern California.

Known for organizing wild themes for team flights, Maddon has turned to Ron Burgundy, Brick Tamland and Brian Fantana for inspiration. The Cubs will wear the outfits Thursday when they fly out to Los Angeles, then again for the return trip from San Diego – where the comedy takes place – following a game May 31.

Chapman may be cleared to start throwing Saturday

Injured All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman may be cleared by the New York Yankees to start a throwing program on Saturday.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Chapman is scheduled to see a doctor Friday and the team hopes he will be given the go-ahead.

Chapman has not pitched since May 12 because of what Girardi has called tendinitis and bursitis in the reliever’s left shoulder. Chapman will need time to build up his arm before a return.

Dellin Betances has closed in Chapman’s absence, with Tyler Clippard moved back to the eighth inning and Adam Warren to the seventh. Warren wasted a seventh-inning lead in Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to Kansas City, the second blown lead in five games for New York’s bullpen.

Chad Green has been used in long relief.

Indians RF Chisenhall scratched, evaluated for head injury

Cleveland Indians right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup and is being evaluated for a possible head injury.

The Indians announced the change about 30 minutes before their game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Chisenhall was tagged out sliding headfirst at home plate Sunday against Houston. He started Monday, but didn’t play Tuesday against the Reds.

Chisenhall is batting .261 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 33 games. He began the season on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained right shoulder and was activated April 13.

Daniel Robertson replaced Chisenhall and batted ninth.

Clearing the bases

Outfielder Alex Gordon was reinstated from the paternity list by the Kansas City Royals, who put right-hander Nate Karns on the 10-day disabled list because of nerve irritation in his pitching arm. Karns, bothered by a right extensor strain, has not pitched since Friday at Minnesota, when he felt a gradual buildup. …The Baltimore Orioles released outfielder Michael Bourn from his minor league contract. Bourn, 34, agreed to a minor league deal on Feb. 20 that paid $2 million with incentives if he reached the majors. Bourn exercised the opt-out clause on the contract on Tuesday, and the Orioles on Wednesday chose to let him go rather than promote him to the big league club. Borne batted .220 in 11 games with Triple-A Norfolk, Borne is now a free agent. …The Mets activated catcher Travis d’Arnaud from the D.L. and placed pitcher Tommy Milone on the 10-day D.L. with a sprained left knee. The veteran d’Arnaud had been on the disabled list since May 3 with a bruised right wrist.