The Associated Press

NEW YORK - The Montreal Expos still could be playing some of their home games in San Juan next year. Baseball officials have been talking with a Puerto Rican promoter about returning to Hiram Bithorn Stadium if no permanent decision is made on the Expos' future home.

"Throughout the process we have continued to examine temporary solutions so we don't cut ourselves short," Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said Wednesday after a meeting of the sport's relocation committee. "Our primary goal is to get it done for next year."

Northern Virginia, Portland, Ore., and Washington, D.C., are trying to lure the Expos, but baseball wants financing in place for a ballpark before making a decision. To raise revenue this year, baseball moved 22 of the Expos' 81 home games from Montreal to San Juan.

Antonio Munoz, the promoter who guaranteed baseball $7 million for this year's San Juan schedule, thinks the island commonwealth can support up to 40 games.

"We've had conversations but we have not defined the amount of games we would bring, if any, or if it will be done or not," he said Wednesday.

No action on the Expos is expected today, when all owners meet. The primary topic on the agenda is a vote to approve the proposed sale of the Anaheim Angels from The Walt Disney Co. to Arturo Moreno, a deal worth about $185 million.

METS: New York placed shortstop Rey Sanchez on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with an injured left thumb.

YANKEES: Right-hander Antonio Osuna was activated from the disabled list Wednesday and left-hander Randy Choate was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

UMP ATTACK: A man who ran on the field at a White Sox game last month and was charged with attacking an umpire pleaded innocent Wednesday. Eric Dybas, 24, of a Chicago suburb, is charged with one count of felony aggravated battery and one count of misdemeanor criminal trespass in the case.