Rocker Comes Up Short in Ruling by Arbitrators

John Rocker lost his salary arbitration case with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday but still will be getting a huge raise from the $290,000 he made last year.

Rocker will get $1.9 million this season rather than $2.98 million he sought, arbitrators Jack Clarke, Jerome Ross and Elliot Shriftman ruled in New York.

The left-hander went 1-2 with a 2.89 earned-run average and 24 saves last year for Atlanta. His season began with a two-week suspension imposed because of comments to Sports Illustrated that disparaged minorities, gays and immigrants.

Tuesday’s hearing lasted more than four hours. More than half the Braves’ case centered on the aftermath of the Sports Illustrated article, according to a lawyer familiar with the hearing who spoke on the condition he not be identified.

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The Toronto Blue Jays said they will appeal to Commissioner Bud Selig if the Chicago White Sox don’t compensate them for starter Mike Sirotka, who was injured when the Blue Jays acquired him by trade last month and might not pitch in 2001.

White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams said he doesn’t believe the Blue Jays are entitled to compensation, setting up a contentious dispute between the clubs.

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Hall of Famer Ted Williams, recovering in New York from open heart surgery, could be moved to a rehabilitation hospital in San Diego as early as this weekend, Boston television station WBZ reported. . . . Closer Keith Foulke of the Chicago White Sox won his arbitration case, getting a raise from $445,000 to $3.1 million. The White Sox had argued that Foulke should be paid $2.2 million. . . . Closer Danny Graves lost his arbitration case against the Cincinnati Reds. He was awarded $2.1 million rather than his request for $3,075,000. Meanwhile, the Reds agreed to a one-year, $3.2-million contract with second baseman Pokey Reese.