The Cubs avoided arbitration with Jose Hernandez Tuesday by signing the reserve infielder to a one-year deal worth $725,000. Hernandez, 28, hit a career high .273 last year but received only 183 at-bats while backing up Shawon Dunston and Ryne Sandberg. Steve Trachsel is the only arbitration-eligible Cub still unsigned.
– Minnesota pitcher Frank Rodriguez (3-6, 4.62 last year) became the first player to go to arbitration this year, asking for a fourfold raise from $220,000 to $880,000. Minnesota countered at $425,000. Among arbitration-eligible players who signed were Anaheim left-hander Allen Watson ($2.9 million), Philadelphia first baseman Rico Brogna ($1.7 million), Montreal left-hander Carlos Perez ($1.5 million) and Atlanta outfielder Gerald Williams ($1.3 million).
Pro basketball: The NBA fined Cleveland coach Mike Fratello $5,000 for criticizing officials. After the Cavs’ 108-94 loss to Atlanta last Thursday, Fratello complained about the 52-17 discrepancy in free throw attempts.
Hockey: Les Alexander, owner of the NBA Houston Rockets, made an $82.5 million bid for the Edmonton Oilers and said he wants to move the hockey team to Houston. To keep the NHL franchise in Edmonton, local buyers would have to come up with at least $70 million.
Wrestling: Saunas, steam rooms and hot boxes are out for amateur wrestlers as weight-loss strategies, along with laxatives and diuretics, wrestling’s national governing body, USA Wrestling, said in a directive.
