BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Dombrowski Named GM of Marlins

Dave Dombrowski joined the expansion Florida Marlins as general manager Thursday after three years at the same position with the Montreal Expos, where he was both praised and criticized for his aggressive approach to the job.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Dombrowski, 35, said after a news conference at Joe Robbie Stadium, which will be the Marlins’ home when they field their first team in 1993. “The opportunity to put together something from scratch just doesn’t happen.”

The hiring came two months after Miami was awarded the National League franchise.

Otis Nixon broke his silence Thursday on his 60-day suspension for cocaine use, said he was sorry and cheered his Brave teammates to “get the job done” without him and win the NL West.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, the fans, and the kids for letting them down at this time,” Nixon said in a statement released by his agent, Joe Sroba, in Richmond, Va. Sroba said Nixon will enter a treatment program.

“It is tough for me right now, but I have made the right decisions, and the problem and situations at hand are being dealt with,” Nixon said. “I would like the team to continue winning and concentrating on the pennant. I know they will get the job done.”

Texas Ranger pitcher Bobby Witt, bothered by pain in his right elbow, won’t pitch again this season and may need surgery. Witt is scheduled for an arthrogram today. Doctors say he may have a bone spur. . . . Rob Ducey of the Toronto Blue Jays has a mild concussion as the result of a collision at home plate in Wednesday night’s game against Seattle. Ducey, knocked unconscious on the play, was taken to Providence Hospital. X-rays were negative.