A-Rod, J-Lo back out of bid to obtain Mets

Former major leaguer Alex Rodriguez and fiancee Jennifer Lopez backed out of the bidding to purchase the New York Mets amid reports the Wilpon family is finalizing a deal with billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen.

Rodriguez said that despite “a fully funded offer at a record price,” their group was pulling its offer.

CNBC reported Cohen had entered final negotiations and was expected to finalize a deal with the team in the coming days. The Mets declined to comment.

Cohen also entered negotiations to purchase the Mets last year, but the deal fell apart in February. He bought an 8 percent limited partnership stake in 2012 for $40 million. The deal under discussion would have seen him acquire an 80 percent controlling share in a transaction that values the team at $2.6 billion, and the Wilpons would have stayed in place for five years.

Rodriguez and Lopez emerged as potential buyers after Cohen’s first negotiations fell apart.

■ Infielder D.J. LeMahieu (left thumb sprain) was activated from the injured list, and third baseman Miguel Andujar was optioned to the team’s alternate training site. Also, third baseman Gio Urshela (bone spur in right elbow), sidelined since Thursday, could return to New York’s lineup Sunday, manager Aaron Boone said.

■ Manny Ramirez, a 48-year-old 12-time All-Star outfielder who last played in the majors in 2011, is signing a one-year deal to play for the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League, team owner Adam Dobb said. Ramirez, who hit .312 with

Yankees: ABL:

555 home runs in 19 major league seasons, last played professionally in Japan in 2017.

■ Right-hander Luis Garcia was promoted from the team’s alternate training site. The 23-year-old, who has yet to pitch above the High-A level, had a 2.98 ERA and 168 strikeouts over 108 2/3 innings in 2019. Also, infielder Aledmys Diaz (right groin strain) was activated from the IL.

■ Right-handed reliever Trevor Rosenthal was acquired from Kansas City for outfielder Edward Olivares and a player to be named. Rosenthal, 30, has a 3.29 ERA, seven saves and 21 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings this season.

■ Right-handed reliever Jordan Romano (right middle finger issue) was placed on the 10-day IL and is slated for an MRI examination. The 27-year-old has a 1.23 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 14 innings in 2020.

■ Left-hander Jalen Beeks will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday, the team said. Also, catcher Mike Zunino (tight left oblique) and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (tight groin) were placed on the 10-day IL.

■ All-Star righthander Sandy Alcantara will be the first of Miami’s three starting pitchers to return from the COVID-19 IL and will start Sunday, manager Don Mattingly said.

■ Veteran utility player Brock Holt, released Wednesday by Milwaukee, signed a one-year deal.

■ Catcher Manny Pina (torn meniscus in right knee) was placed on the 10day IL.

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