MLB owners approve purchase of Orioles by Rubenstein

David Rubenstein’s purchase of the Baltimore Orioles was approved Wednesday by Major League Baseball owners, clearing the way for the Angelos family to finalize the sale after over three decades running the team.

Approval of 75% of all owners was required, and MLB said the vote was unanimous. It came the day before the team is scheduled to open the season at home against the Angels.

“To own the Orioles is a great civic duty,” Rubenstein, a Carlyle Group Inc. co-founder, said in a statement. “On behalf of my fellow owners, I want the Baltimore community and Orioles fans everywhere to know that we will work our hardest to deliver for you with professionalism, integrity, excellence, and a fierce desire to win games.”

The Orioles scheduled a news conference for Thursday morning with Rubenstein and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

Rubenstein’s group, which includes Cal Ripken Jr. and Grant Hill, reached an agreement in January to buy the Orioles for an evaluation worth $1.725 billion.

Baseball openers in New York and Philadelphia were postponed a day until Friday because of rainy forecasts in both cities.

Pete Alonso and the New York Mets were scheduled to host the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon, a day featuring the first full slate of major league games this year.

The Dodgers and San Diego Padres started the season with a two-game series in Seoul last week.

But with wet weather expected much of Thursday in Queens, the Mets announced Wednesday the game was pushed back to Friday at 1:40 p.m.

Minutes later, the Philadelphia Phillies announced their sold-out opener against the NL East rival Atlanta Braves was moved from Thursday at 3:05 p.m. to Friday at the same time due to anticipated rain.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and pitcher Jordan Montgomery have agreed to a $25-million, one-year contract with a vesting option for 2025, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the agreement was subject to a successful physical . ... Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain had surgery on his left shoulder and will be sidelined for an extended period . ... The Braves sent reliever Jackson Stephens to triple-A Gwinnett, clearing a spot on the opening day roster for fan favorite Jesse Chavez (Fontana Miller High) for his fifth stint with the team at age 40.