Indians give Wedge two more years

Cleveland — Eric Wedge has made such a good impression this season that general manager Mark Shapiro wanted to make a statement that the young manager is his man.

Wedge was given two more years to help turn around his young team Friday when the Cleveland Indians exercised club options through 2006 on their first-year manager.

The 35-year-old Wedge, the youngest manager in the majors, has led the rebuilding Indians to a 42-60 record.

Wedge signed a two-year deal with the Indians last October, but Shapiro rewarded Wedge by picking up options for 2005 and 2006 and adding club options for 2007 and 2008.

Arlington eliminated, Virginia search continues

Reston, Va. — The Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority is ignoring opposition from Arlington County and continuing to consider three county sites for a potential 40,000-seat stadium.

The authority, a state agency that receives its funding from a private group of investors seeking ownership of a Major League Baseball franchise, met Thursday night to evaluate its options after the Arlington County Board told the authority last week it will oppose efforts to put a stadium in the county.

Northern Virginia is competing with Washington, D.C., and Portland, Ore., for the Montreal Expos, a financially troubled franchise that was taken over by the other 29 teams.

Baseball officials had initially said they would recommend a new location for the Expos by mid-July, but the deadline passed without any action.

Lyon’s injured elbow might complicate trade

Pittsburgh — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed reliever Brandon Lyon on the 15-day disabled list with an injured elbow Friday and are deciding whether to seek additional compensation from Boston.

Pittsburgh acquired Lyon and minor league pitcher Anastacio Martinez Tuesday from the Red Sox for left-hander Scott Sauerbeck.

If the Pirates decide Lyon is not healthy enough to complete the trade, they could ask for another player.