Baseball

Two groups of investors, including one from Japan, have expressed an interest in buying the Seattle Mariners, a Seattle Chamber of Commerce official said. The identity of both groups is being kept secret.

The financially strapped Mariners were put up for sale Dec. 6 by owner Jeff Smulyan, who gave interests in Seattle 120 days--until March 27--to buy the team. If no local buyer steps forward, Smulyan could offer the team to outside buyers or move the franchise.