Symonette decided that former American League umps Drew Coble and Greg Kosc never quit because they did not resign in writing and should be rehired. Symonette told baseball to give back pay to Frank Pulli and Terry Tata, who intended to retire.
The lawsuits mean the dispute is unlikely to be resolved this year.
"The arbitrator exceeded the authority accorded him by the collective-bargaining agreement by . . . dispensing his own brand of industrial justice and substituting his judgment for the discretion and final and binding determination of the league presidents," the commissioner's office said in its lawsuit, filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.
The Arizona Diamondbacks said that complications from elbow surgery in September will prevent righthander Todd Stottlemyre from returning to the roster this year.
Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, former Pittsburgh Penguins owner Roger Marino, and Cablevision chairman Charles Dolan are among the potential bidders for the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Globe reported.
Righthander Kris Honel, the 16th overall pick in this week's amateur draft, agreed to a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox and will get a signing bonus of about $1.6 million.Righthander Justin Pope, St. Louis' top draft pick, agreed to a contract. He went 15-1 for Central Florida in his junior season.
Tony Fernandez, released by Milwaukee last month, signed a minor-league contract with Toronto.
Second baseman Carlos Febles was activated by Kansas City, which designated outfielder Raul Ibanez for assignment.
The Los Angeles Dodgers activated leftfielder Gary Sheffield from the 15-day disabled list before last night's game against the Anaheim Angels and designated catcher Angel Pena for assignment.
