BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Carter Suffering From Vertigo

Joe Carter’s vertigo condition should not be compared to the cases that ended the careers of Nick Esasky and Ken Dayley, Toronto Blue Jay trainer Tommy Craig said.

“It is not to misconstrued as the same,” Craig said. “Joe’s is more the result of the residual effects of a virus.”

Carter, who leads the major leagues with 39 runs batted in, woke up with a headache and dizziness Friday and was examined by team doctors.

He was given a CAT scan Saturday and the results were negative. Carter did not play either day for the Blue Jays, and was taking medication for an inner ear infection.

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Tony Fernandez caused a scene in the Cincinnati Reds’ clubhouse before the game and left in a huff Saturday night after an 11-7 victory over the Houston Astros.

The third baseman has been grousing all season about having to accept a $500,000 salary and move to a new position because he couldn’t get a better offer from another team.

Fernandez sat and stared into his dressing cubicle for several minutes before the game. Then he stood up, picked up his chair and dumped it in a clothes bin in the middle of the clubhouse.

Then he headed for the trainer’s room, stopping to topple a clothes hamper on the way.

About an hour after the game, Fernandez packed up his cleats and other equipment in his two bags, shook hands with shortstop Barry Larkin and left the clubhouse. Pitcher Jose Rijo accompanied Fernandez and appeared to be trying to placate him.