Mark Cuban says Dodgers might be too much of ‘a mess’ for him to consider purchase

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told gossip site TMZ.com that he isn’t sure he would be interested in purchasing the Dodgers because of what current owner Frank McCourt might have done to the franchise.

“I have an interest in Major League Baseball for the right deal,� Cuban said. “But it’s just such a mess, right? I can’t imagine that it’s not going to be such a mess that it’s [not] going to make it hard to turn around.�

Cuban said the Mavericks were “a mess� when he purchased them in 2000.

“You want to buy cheap and turn it into something that’s worth a whole lot more,� he said. “I get that, right? But if it’s just so screwed up, that the pieces are so messed up, that it takes 20 years to fix.… I mean, there’s literally franchises out there that are just in such disarray and such a mess, in multiple leagues, that no one can fix them.�

But, he said, “if the deal is right and they’re fixable, then, yeah, I’m very interested.�

Cuban, who has bid on the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, said the way McCourt has divided the Dodgers’ assets into separate companies could be problematic.

“Who knows what’s included and what’s not,� he said.

Told that he could become a hero in the Los Angeles the way he became one in Dallas, Cuban replied, “The opportunity is not lost on me.�

Broxton back on the mound

Pitching for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list early last month, Jonathan Broxton gave up a run and struck out two in an inning for triple-A Albuquerque.

Broxton issued a two-out walk, then served up a run-scoring double. He struck out Roger Clemens’ son, Koby Clemens, to get out of the inning.

Broxton, who was sidelined with a bruised elbow, is scheduled to continue his minor-league rehabilitation Thursday.

Garland speaks

Jon Garland played catch, marking the first time he has thrown a baseball since he landed on the disabled list June 2 with shoulder inflammation.

But Garland said he has no idea when he will return.

“I don’t think they do, either,� he said of the team’s medical staff.

Asked whether thought he would pitch again this season, Garland replied, “I hope so.�

Garland said he is more optimistic about returning than he was when he was first sidelined.

“The first thought is, ‘Am I done for the year? Done for my career?’ � he said.

Garland he believes his shoulder problems are a result of wear and tear from 12 seasons in the majors. He said he felt discomfort in his shoulder long before his last appearance.

“That inflammation kept building, building and building,� he said.

This is Garland’s second stint on the disabled list this season, as he was out at the start of the year with a strained side muscle. The only other time he was ever on the disabled list was in 2000.

He said it pains him emotionally to watch the Dodgers play, which is why he often leaves the ballpark before the start of games.

“Honestly, I feel I’m in the way,� he said.

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