Astros Put Bagwell on 15-Day Disabled List

Just as Jeff Bagwell appeared to be emerging from his early season slump, the Houston Astros’ slugger will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of a severe cut on his right knee.

Bagwell was placed on the 15-day disabled list after suffering the gash in a collision with Florida Marlin catcher Charles Johnson on Tuesday night. Bagwell received 15 stitches.

Jack Howell will replace Bagwell at first base.

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The Philadelphia Phillies, still struggling to sign their top pick from last year, will have the No. 1 overall selection in the amateur draft June 2.

Philadelphia has until May 25 to sign outfielder J.D. Drew, taken with the No. 2 pick overall last year. Drew has asked for $11 million, while the Phillies have offered about $2 million guaranteed with options that could make the deal worth $6 million over four years.

Drew played in the independent Northern League last season, and the Major League Baseball Players Assn. has filed a grievance attempting to gain free agency for him. A decision by arbitrator Dana Eischen is expected Monday.

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Florida Marlin owner H. Wayne Huizenga plans to sell his 70% interest in Sports Channel Florida to New York-based Cablevision once he is allowed to dispose of the last place World Series champion team, the Miami Herald reported.

Sports Channel carries some Marlin games along with other sports programming, including the NHL’s Florida Panthers, which Huizenga also plans to sell.

Cablevision is majority owner of Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and six regional sports cable networks.

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The Milwaukee Brewers’ Dave Nilsson, who has been recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, was activated from the disabled list.

Nilsson, expected to be the Brewers’ left fielder, underwent surgery on his right knee during the off-season and had another procedure March 23.