The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Spider-Man ads on bases didn't fly with baseball fans.

A day after announcing a novel promotion to have advertisements on bases next month, Major League Baseball reversed course Thursday and eliminated that part of its marketing deal for Spider-Man 2.

"The bases were an extremely small part of this program," said Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer. "However, we understand that a segment of our fans was uncomfortable with this particular component and we do not want to detract from the fan's experience in any way."

Under the original plan, red-and-yellow ads were to appear on bases - but not home plate - during games from June 11-13.

The plan began to crumble Wednesday night when the New York Yankees said they would only allow the ads on bases during batting practice - and only for one game that weekend.

The ads were to appear as part of a deal involving Major League Baseball Properties, Marvel Studios and Sony Inc., the parent of Columbia Pictures, which is releasing the movie June 30.

Many baseball purists denounced the plan, including Fay Vincent, a former baseball commissioner and president of Columbia Pictures.

CUBS: Shortstop Alex Gonzalez will be out six to eight weeks after breaking a bone in his right wrist Wednesday against Arizona. Gonzalez, who is batting .244 with three homers and seven RBI, won't need surgery.

EXPOS: Montreal is discussing multiyear contracts with infielders Jose Vidro and Orlando Cabrera.

Expos president Tony Tavares confirmed the team has talked with both players, who are eligible to become free agents after the season.

GIANTS: Barry Bonds was in the lineup Thursday night after missing three starts because of a sinus infection. Bonds began the night leading the major leagues in batting average (.463) and tied for the lead in home runs (10).

MARINERS: Backup catcher Ben Davis was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, and Seattle called up 40-year-old Pat Borders from their Pacific Coast League affiliate.

Davis, 27, was 3-for-33 (.091) with two RBI in 14 games. Borders, in his 22nd season of professional baseball, was hitting .233 (14-for-60) with two homers and four RBI in 14 games with Tacoma this season.