Belle Voids No-Trade Clause

Albert Belle has voided the no-trade clause in his five-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who no longer like the idea of hanging onto the moody outfielder for a minimum of three years.

Belle’s $65-million contract includes a three-year clause barring him from being traded. He apparently lifted the ban soon after the Orioles learned of a June 4 incident in which he allegedly made obscene gestures to fans in the bleachers at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Manager Jerry Manuel of the Chicago White Sox recently told Chicago reporters that Belle informed him of his decision to renounce the trade clause. The Baltimore Sun, citing unidentified club sources, reported Belle’s decision Wednesday.

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The Orioles obtained right-hander Al Reyes from the Milwaukee Brewers, completing last week’s deal that sent pitcher Rocky Coppinger to Milwaukee. . . . Mark Portugal, suffering from back spasms, joined Pedro Martinez on the sidelines as the Boston Red Sox were forced to shuffle their pitching rotation again. Portugal (5-7) had been scheduled to pitch today against the Orioles but will be replaced by Jin Ho Cho. Martinez, baseball’s best pitcher with a 15-3 record, is expected to sit out at least one start because of a sore right shoulder. The Red Sox also obtained right-handed reliever Julio Santana from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for a player to be named.