The Florida Marlins were fined a "substantial" amount by Major League Baseball for failing to follow minority-hiring guidelines when they replaced manager Jeff Torborg with Jack McKeon, ESPN.com has learned.

The Miami Herald reported Friday that the Marlins will not be required to pay the fine. Marlins sources told the Herald that commissioner Bud Selig indicated privately a $100,000 fine will not be imposed because Florida has a strong record of minority hiring and he does not believe the team intentionally violated baseball's minority-hiring initiative.

ESPN.com stands by its story, which was reported May 29. Major League Baseball would not confirm the fine, but a MLB spokesman told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that "the matter's been handled."

Commissioner Bud Selig has the power to fine teams up to $2 million.

Selig would not discuss the subject, telling ESPN.com, "I never comment on club matters."

"The matter has been resolved between the Marlins and the commissioner's office," DuPuy said Thursday.

In 1999, Selig sent a letter to teams requiring them to notify him about certain job vacancies, including manager. Teams are to provide a list of minority candidates, and the commissioner's office reviews the names before anyone is hired.

Marlins president David Samson said earlier this month he was not concerned about the investigation because the team takes into account "all candidates for all positions."

The Detroit Tigers failed to consider minority candidates before hiring manager Phil Garner in 2000. But the team escaped punishment by creating a five-member community advisory board to work on minority employment and contracting issues, as well as on public relations.

The 72-year-old McKeon, who replaced Torborg on May 10, is the oldest manager in the major leagues and third-oldest in history. He has managed four other major league teams, most recently Cincinnati from 1997 to 2000.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.