Red Sox Agree to Let Cordero Play

While confirming for the first time that they had suspended Wil Cordero, the Boston Red Sox agreed Thursday to allow him to play after the All-Star break if baseball’s counselors give their approval.

The deal essentially forces the Red Sox to play or trade Cordero by July 10. The Red Sox play Toronto at Fenway Park that night, a game that also marks the return of Roger Clemens to Boston.

Cordero was arrested early on the morning of June 11 after a fight with his wife, Ana, that left her nose bloodied.

The Red Sox said in a three-page statement that the agreement would provide Cordero with counseling “so that a potential future crisis can be avoided.”

“The Red Sox wanted to make a statement about domestic abuse,” said Gene Orza, the union’s No. 2 official. “I don’t blame them for being concerned about those issues. But the question was, ‘Can you put yourself above the principles that have been established in the industry?’

“At least they finally admitted it was a suspension. The problem is you can only suspend people for just cause, and we know from precedent you cannot suspend a person for being arrested, simply on that basis alone.”

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Under pressure from U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), the baseball players’ association agreed for the first time to ban chewing tobacco from the All-Star game.

“Under the special circumstances of the All-Star game, I am satisfied it is appropriate,” union head Donald Fehr said in a memo to players.

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Met catcher Todd Hundley sat out Thursday’s game against Florida because of pain in his right elbow.

With Hundley sidelined, Alberto Castillo started behind the plate, and the Mets recalled catcher Todd Pratt from triple-A Norfolk. To make room for Pratt, the club optioned infielder Jason Hardtke to Norfolk.

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Dennis Cook’s suspension for throwing at Andres Galarraga was cut from three games to two by NL President Len Coleman, and the Florida Marlin pitcher will start serving the penalty today. . . . Colorado reliever Bruce Ruffin will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his left elbow and will sit out at least six weeks.