Belle Reports With Denial

Albert Belle didn’t talk much after reporting to the Chicago White Sox. He did issue a statement saying he didn’t gamble on his own sport. “I want to make one thing clear: I have never bet on baseball.” He added that these will be his last comments on the subject. . . . Baltimore second baseman Roberto Alomar will sit out most of the exhibition schedule because of a sprained left ankle. . . . Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield became the first player to win in salary arbitration this winter. Wakefield (14-13, 5.44 ERA) will get $2.5 million, rather than $1.55 million offered by the Red Sox.