Fielder in Trouble for Tardiness

Cecil Fielder, locked into staying with the New York Yankees after rescinding his trade demand at the last minute, was 2 1/2 hours late for Sunday’s pregame workout and was scratched from the starting lineup for the exhibition game against Philadelphia.

“We don’t want any distractions from here on out,” said Yankee Manager Joe Torre, who indicated Fielder will be disciplined. “It’s time to play baseball.”

Fielder blamed his absence on a miscommunication with his agent.

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The Cincinnati Reds acquired reliever Joey Eischen from the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later. Eischen, 26, is coming off a disappointing season and elbow surgery. The left-hander went 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA in 52 appearances for the Dodgers and Detroit last year. . . . Infielder Luis Lopez was acquired by Houston Astros from the Padres for left-hander Sean Runyan. Lopez played in 63 games for the Padres last season and batted .180. Runyan, a fifth-round draft pick by Houston in 1992, pitched for Class A Quad City, Iowa, in 1995. . . . Ryan Klesko was scratched from Sunday’s lineup for the Atlanta Braves after straining his back while running during batting practice. The team said he will sit out today’s game also. . . . Doug Brocail, only 11-22 in the major leagues, was picked to start the Detroit Tigers’ season opener at Minnesota on April 1. . . . Jon Lieber, who has only 19 victories, was picked to start the Pittsburgh Pirates’ opener on April 1 at the San Francisco Giants.