Phillies refute report of ownership shakeup

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies refuted a TV report Thursday night that limited partner John Middleton is making a push to own the majority of the franchise and that club president David Montgomery was pressured out of his role in August.

"Contrary to the Fox 29 report last night, David Montgomery's leave of absence from the Phillies is entirely due to his medical condition, as previously announced," the Phillies said in a statement.

Regarding the reported ownership shakeup, the Phillies said, "Over the life of the Phillies partnership, no one entity or family has owned a majority of the partnership, and we do not foresee this changing in the future."

Montgomery took a leave of absence in August to recover from jaw bone cancer surgery. Pat Gillick took his place as interim president.

Multiple sources told MLB.com there is nothing to the report.