Cuban Defector Plans Lawsuit Over Draft

Cuban defector Rolando Viera plans to sue major league baseball unless the commissioner makes him a free agent instead of eligible for next week’s draft.

Viera, 27, flew out of Cuba on April 25, with a valid visa and is working out in Tampa, Fla.

Because Viera is in the United States, he is subject to baseball’s draft, which will be held Tuesday and Wednesday. Cubans who defect to a third country and other foreign players are free agents and command much larger salaries.

Chicago White Sox pitcher David Wells doesn’t want to be traded. And until General Manager Kenny Williams tells him he’s going somewhere, he’s not going to worry about the rumors swirling around him.

“Until it happens, then there’s really nothing to talk about,” said Wells, who also said that if he is traded, he won’t insist that his new team pick up his $10-million option for next year.

General Manager Jim Bowden suggested that the Cincinnati Reds’ medical staff misdiagnosed Ken Griffey Jr.’s torn hamstring, but later apologized for the statement.

The general manager’s misstep provided another awkward moment amid one of the team’s worst May slumps, brought on largely by injuries that have decimated the lineup.

On his radio show before the Reds’ game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, Bowden said Griffey’s hamstring tear during spring training “originally was misdiagnosed.” Bowden noted that an MRI exam later found the tear in a different part of the hamstring.

Dr. Timothy Kremchek was upset when he heard of Bowden’s remark. After a meeting of Bowden, Kremchek and chief operating officer John Allen, the general manager issued an apology.

The St. Louis Cardinals sent left-hander Rick Ankiel to extended spring training after he failed to get out of the first inning in his last two minor league starts. General Manager Walt Jocketty said Ankiel, 21, will be in Jupiter, Fla., for an “indefinite period of time.”

Ty Cobb’s false teeth are going to Cooperstown. The dentures, for which baseball memorabilia collector Karen Shemonsky paid $8,000 at an auction in 1999, will be displayed at the Hall of Fame for five months. . . . The Texas Rangers released reliever Jeff Brantley and claimed former Dodger pitcher Mike Judd off waivers from Tampa Bay. . . . Brian Baron, who set a UCLA record by batting .443 this season, signed with the Minnesota Twins and was assigned to Class-A Fort Myers, Fla. . . . Tony Gwynn would like to be the coach at his alma mater, San Diego State, when the job opens in June 2002.