*Bankruptcy judge grants routine motions to keep Dodgers operating

That includes paying vendors and employees, and keeping up with tax and insurance obligations - pretty standard stuff in the first day of bankruptcy hearings. What seems up in the air (at least according to the news reports I've seen) is which financial package will be chosen to keep the team going over an extended period. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt turned to a hedge fund to provide $150 million in so-called debtor-in-possession financing, but he's paying 10 percent interest, plus fees. MLB says its $150 million bankruptcy loan would save the Dodgers up to $4.5 million and reduces the interest rate by 3 percent. From AP:

After granting several of the motions, [Judge Kevin] Gross ordered a 30-minute recess, allowing time for discussions between attorneys for the Dodgers and MLB, which opposes the team's request for authorization to enter into a $150 million financing arrangement. "It's a foregone conclusion that a loan is going to be approved," said Dodgers attorney Bruce Bennett. "We have to decide which one and on what terms."

*Update: McCourt will be able to use the financing he obtained this week to pay the team's immediate bills, though the league can challenge that during a hearing scheduled for July 20. July 20? Just a small indication of how long this is likely to drag out. (LAT)