Valentin Works Out At Second

Second baseman John Valentin was still with the Boston Red Sox Tuesday at Port Charlotte, Fla., taking infield practice with newly coronated shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.

Manager Jimy Williams hit fungoes to his new infield - minus first baseman Mo Vaughn, who was in New York for a dinner in memory of Jackie Robinson - before heading to play an exhibition against Texas.

“He’s an athlete. He looked fine out there,” Williams said before the rest of the Red Sox rallied with two runs in the ninth and three in the 10th to beat Texas 8-6. “If you saw him work out today, you’d think he had a positive attitude.”

But if you heard him talk Monday, you’d know he didn’t.

One of the best-hitting shortstops in baseball, Valentin was told Saturday he will be moved to second base to make room for Garciaparra, who is stronger defensively.

Williams gave Valentin 48 hours to think about it, but the disgruntled infielder staged a one-day protest walkout and returned Monday to announce he wants to leave the team as soon as possible - either by trade or when he becomes a free agent in 1998.

Doctors clear Schmidt

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jason Schmidt has been cleared by doctors to resume all normal activities.

Schmidt left the Pirates’ training camp Sunday after an examination revealed he had an irregular heartbeat. He returned to Pittsburgh and underwent a series of tests.

Schmidt, 24, was to return to Bradenton, Fla., and will resume working out with the Pirates this morning.

Rangers release Ward

Former A.L. saves leader Duane Ward was released by the Texas Rangers, two days after North Port, Fla., police said he failed a sobriety test during a traffic stop.

The team said Ward’s release was unrelated to Sunday’s arrest on suspicion of drunk driving. The 32-year-old right-hander, who was attempting to make a comeback after missing most of the past three seasons due to injuries, was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in three appearances this spring.

Mesa’s lawyers seek dismissal

A Lakewood, Ohio, police captain said his department acted properly by making up a story to get Cleveland Indians pitcher Jose Mesa away from his home so he could be arrested.

Mesa’s lawyers, Gerald and Gale Messerman, want a judge to throw out rape, assault and gun charges against their client because of the way he was arrested. They filed pretrial motions last week saying the arrest was illegal and evidence obtained in it should be suppressed.

Police devised a ruse to lure Mesa from his home. A female detective dialed Mesa’s cellular telephone number and posed as a woman who wanted to meet him that evening. Mesa arrived at the appointed time and was arrested.

Angels sign Ready

The Anaheim Angels signed veteran infielder Randy Ready, 37, to a one-year minor league contract, the team said.