FORT WORTH, Texas – A federal bankruptcy judge decided Tuesday that the Texas Rangers will be auctioned off after all, despite angry creditors’ claims that the bidding process is unfair and still favors Major League Baseball’s preferred buyer.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge D. Michael Lynn set the auction for Aug. 4 after changing some of the team’s proposed bidding procedures, citing a “need to bring order from chaos.” The final hearing on whether to approve the Rangers’ bankruptcy plan was set for later that day.

After the auction, Major League Baseball will still be able to reject the highest bidder and approve the next highest bid – something lenders opposed. But if that happens, the judge can determine if the league acted in good faith, according to the revised procedures.

Months ago, the league gave its blessing to a group led by team president and Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan and Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg, selected as the buyers after a bidding process last year.

Around the leagues

Protesters rallied outside baseball commissioner Bud Selig’s office in Milwaukee, calling on him to move next year’s All-Star game out of Arizona to protest its tough new immigration law. … The New York Yankees say they will wear patches on their uniforms honoring the memory of owner George Steinbrenner and longtime public address announcer Bob Sheppard. Steinbrenner, 80, died Tuesday, and Sheppard, 99, died Sunday. … City council members in Hamilton, Ohio, will vote this evening on a resolution and plan to dedicate a park road for local native Jim Tracy, the Colorado Rockies manager. … A pair of 44-cent commemorative stamps for the Negro Leagues will be dedicated in ceremonies Thursday at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo.