BASEBALL

THE Baltimore Orioles called a halt to a pending deal with free agent pitcher Grant Balfour from the Oakland As yesterday over medical concerns. Orioles vice-president Dan Duquette said the club ‘‘wasn’t satisfied’’ with the results of the 35-year-old Australian hurler’s physical exam. He didn’t elaborate, but The Baltimore Sun said the issue was with Balfour’s right shoulder. Balfour missed all of the 2006 season recovering from a shoulder surgery the previous year.