Qualification for the eight-team Olympic baseball competition now will take place in two phases, the International Baseball Federation said Thursday. Also, qualification will be based on the results over an entire tournament, with single-elimination games no longer part of the format.

This is a significant change in light of the U.S. loss to Mexico in the quarterfinals of the Olympic qualifier in Panama in 2003. The United States was ousted from the tournament despite having a 3-0 record at the time of the game, while Mexico was 0-3.

DODGERS: Los Angeles slugger Shawn Green will sit out Saturday afternoon's game against the San Francisco Giants in observance of Yom Kippur.

Green said he will play tonight when the Dodgers and Giants open a three-game series in San Francisco.

"Playing one of the two is the most consistent with my beliefs as a Jewish person," Green said Thursday. "I'm not orthodox. I am Jewish and I respect the custom. I feel this is the most consistent way to celebrate the holiday. I feel real good about my decision."

EXPOS: Major League Baseball's executive council met for three hours Thursday but made no formal recommendation on whether the Montreal Expos should move to Washington next season.

Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos, a member of the eight-owner council, appears to be the chief obstacle to a move. Angelos has said having a team about 40 miles from Camden Yards would take away fans and revenue from his franchise.

Angelos was not available for comment. Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, hopes to have a decision by Oct. 3.

RED SOX: Ellis Burks plans to announce his retirement after this season. First, the 18-year veteran wants to help the Boston win a few more games. The 40-year-old outfielder-designated hitter was activated Thursday after nearly five months on the disabled list, two operations on his left knee and steady rehabilitation.

INDIANS: Travis Hafner's right elbow is sore and needs surgery. He's just happy both his thumbs are OK. Hafner underwent an MRI Thursday on his aching elbow, which probably will be operated on following the season. Test results were not available, but Hafner knows his elbow needs fixing.

"I just think I need to get it cleaned out in there," he said.

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