White Sox Offer to Rework Trade

The Chicago White Sox have offered to rework their disputed trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, even after Commissioner Bud Selig ruled to uphold the deal.

While refusing to give ground on the major issue in dispute--the injury to Mike Sirotka--White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams told the Associated Press on Friday that he would be willing to alter the deal if the Blue Jays turned over medical reports detailing the severity of the injury to minor leaguer Mike Williams, one of six players in the deal.

“After the decision, I called [Toronto assistant general manager] Dave Stewart and said, ‘My word is my bond. If there is still something wrong, let me see the medical reports and I’ll make an adjustment to the trade if necessary,’ ” Williams said. “He said he’d get back to me.”

Chicago traded three pitchers--Williams, Sirotka and Kevin Beirne--along with outfielder Brian Simmons to Toronto on Jan. 14 for David Wells and pitcher Matt DeWitt.

When Toronto learned Sirotka was unable to pitch this spring, it asked for additional compensation. Selig denied the request Wednesday. Selig also denied any compensation for Mike Williams because, “the White Sox were not aware of any injury.”

Kenny Williams revealed the latest White Sox offer in response to comments made by Mike Williams earlier Friday that Chicago knew he was injured before the deal, a charge the GM denies.

Meanwhile, Wells is finally scheduled to make his first appearance in a spring training game today when the White Sox play a San Francisco Giant split squad.

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Mike Piazza, who has made a career out of playing in pain, will sit out at least a week of exhibition games because of a bone bruise on his left knee.

The New York Met catcher hurt himself this week in practice. The eight-time all-star and the team initially called it a sprain, but an MRI showed a bruise.

“We’re looking at a seven-to-10 day window to let it settle down,” Met General Manager Steve Phillips said.

Piazza said he expected to be fine for opening day.

“It has already improved slightly, which leads me to believe it’s not a serious thing,” Piazza said. “From all indications, it should heal pretty quickly.”

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Orlando Hernandez of the New York Yankees will have a precautionary MRI after being pulled from his start after two innings because of right forearm stiffness.

Hernandez was examined by team physicians Stuart Hershon and Allen Miller. X-rays were negative.

“Right now, I’m not particularly concerned from the information I’ve heard,” New York General Manager Brian Cashman said.

Hernandez reported the problem after giving up one hit and striking out three in two scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In other Yankee news, shortstop Derek Jeter is scheduled to make his spring training debut today after being slowed by a sore right shoulder.

Jeter resumed full-scale workouts Wednesday. He has sat out his team’s first eight New York exhibition games.

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Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals hit his first home run of spring training in a 5-3 loss to the Montreal Expos. . . . Mark Grace of the Arizona Diamondbacks hit a home run and drove in two runs in his first game against his former team, the Chicago Cubs, whom he played for his first 13 major league seasons. . . . Tom Gordon, making his Cub debut in another game, struck out two and gave up one hit in one inning of a 6-5 win against the White Sox. It was Gordon’s first appearance since surgery on his right elbow on Dec. 13, 1999. . . . Milwaukee Brewer outfielder Brant Brown injured his left shoulder diving for a line drive. He will be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time. . . . Infielder Eric Munson, a former first-round draft pick from USC, was optioned by the Detroit Tigers to double-A Erie.