The Associated Press

PHOENIX - Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Craig Counsell will have surgery on his injured right thumb and faces an extended stay on the disabled list.

An MRI Wednesday morning showed ligament damage. No timetable was mentioned for Counsell's possible return, but manager Bob Brenly was expecting the worst.

"Last night they were saying two to 10 weeks, depending on the severity, so I would assume this is going be closer to 10," Brenly said.

Counsell was hitting .276, and his 32 hits were second on the team to Luis Gonzalez's 42.

OREGON STADIUM: A $150 million stadium financing package aimed at bringing the Montreal Expos to Portland was approved 33-25 Wednesday by the Oregon House.

The bill, which now goes to the Oregon Senate, authorizes the use of income tax revenue from players and team officials to help pay for construction bonds that represent the state's part of the estimated $350 million in construction costs.

"Not a single dollar will be taken from education, health or any other state program," said Rep. Vic Backlund, a Republican.

MARLINS: Florida, which already has two starting pitchers on the disabled list, pulled Josh Beckett from Wednesday's game against San Francisco after one inning when he complained of a stiff elbow.

The team said the move was precautionary.

Right-hander A.J. Burnett underwent reconstructive elbow surgery April 29 and might be sidelined until 2005. Left-hander Mark Redman broke the thumb on his pitching hand the same day and will be sidelined until late this month.

The 22-year-old Beckett came into Wednesday's game 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA in seven starts.

SHORT HOPS: Boston claimed left-hander Bruce Chen off waivers from Houston on Wednesday. Chen, 25, could wind up working long relief. He is 7-1 with a 4.14 ERA in 91 career relief appearances.

• St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Ankiel will make his first start of the season Friday night for Double-A Tennessee after beginning the year in the bullpen. The Cardinals decided the 23-year-old left-hander wasn't getting enough work in relief. He has struggled with his command, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in the Southern League.

• Mo Vaughn will get a second opinion to decide whether surgery will help him recover from bone spurs in his inflamed left knee.

• The Tigers optioned reliever Matt Anderson to Triple-A Toledo Wednesday. Detroit will announce its corresponding move later.