Astacio’s Trial Is Delayed

Pedro Astacio’s domestic violence trial reportedly has been delayed, ensuring the Colorado right-hander will not be deported in the middle of the season.

Astacio faced possible deportation to the Dominican Republic if convicted July 5. The trial has been delayed until November, Denver’s KCNC-TV reported Friday.

Astacio initially pleaded guilty to third-degree assault but was allowed to withdraw the plea after immigration officials began deportation proceedings.

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Major league baseball is giving national broadcast partners Fox and NBC until June 30 to meet demands for a new contract after cutting its asking price to as much as $540 million a year, people familiar with the negotiations said.

If Fox and NBC fail to meet baseball’s demands, it will end its exclusive negotiating period, allowing CBS and possibly Walt Disney Co.’s ABC to make offers.

Baseball’s current agreement with Fox and NBC expires after the World Series.

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Houston fired pitching coach Vern Ruhle and hitting coach Tom McCraw and replaced them with Burt Hooton and Harry Spilman.

Hooton, who pitched for the Dodgers from 1975-84, was the pitching coach for double-A Round Rock and Spilman was the Astros’ minor league coordinator.

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St. Louis put reliever Jesse Orosco on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore elbow and recalled right-hander Gene Stechschulte from triple-A Memphis. . . . San Diego recalled shortstop Kevin Nicholson from triple-A Las Vegas and put shortstop Chris Gomez on the 15-day disabled list.