BASEBALL NOTES

Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman returned Tuesday from a dinner with Albert Belle and his agent in Tucson. But George Steinbrenner hasn’t met with the controversial outfielder and the owner sounded as if no offer has been made.

Steinbrenner said he was awaiting a recommendation from Cashman, Manager Joe Torre and his other advisors.

“That’s up to others to tell me if they’re interested,” Steinbrenner said. “It’s what my GM wants and my manager wants.”

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The San Diego Padres released infielder Archi Cianfrocco, whose seniority had been second only to Tony Gwynn’s, and right-hander Scott Sanders, who helped the club win the NL West in 1996. The Padres have opened talks with free-agent third baseman Robin Ventura after losing Ken Caminiti to the Houston Astros. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent second baseman Mike Benjamin to a $1.4-million, two-year contract.