Cordero’s Travel Denied By Judge
A Cambridge, Mass., judge refused Monday to allow former Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilfredo Cordero to travel to Puerto Rico before his Oct. 20 trial on charges of assaulting and threatening to kill his wife.
Cambridge District Judge Arthur Sherman denied Cordero’s request without comment.
Cordero was arrested June 11 after an early morning argument with his wife, Ana, that left her with bruises on her arms and neck and a bloody nose. He was charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, making a threat and violating a restraining order.
The 25-year-old outfielder was released after posting $200 bail and agreeing to several conditions, among them that he stay in the city except for Red Sox road games. Thursday, he asked that the conditions be amended so he could go to Puerto Rico and arrange to play for a winter league team.
The Red Sox placed Cordero on unconditional release waivers minutes after the season ended Sept. 28, making him a free agent.
Ana Cordero has said she will not testify against her husband, but prosecutors say they have enough evidence without her.
Nomo awaits elbow surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo, the National League Rookie of the Year in 1995, will undergo arthroscopic surgery today to remove loose bodies in his right elbow.
Nomo was 14-12 with a 4.25 ERA in 33 starts this season.
Twins have green light
Major League Baseball would allow the Twins to leave Minnesota, Gov. Arne Carlson said after meeting in Milwaukee with acting commissioner Bud Selig.
Carlson and a group of legislators flew to Milwaukee to ask Selig how Twins owner Carl Pohlad’s deal to sell the Twins to North Carolina businessman Don Beaver would fare with team owners.
“There will be permission for Carl Pohlad to leave if a stadium is not built,” Carlson said after a meeting with Selig, who also is owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Three-fourths of the American League’s owners and half the N.L. owners must approve a team sale and relocation. Selig indicated that might not be a problem in this case.
Reds consider options
The Reds, still looking for a new stadium site, said they may seek an alternative to downtown Cincinnati.
Reds managing executive John Allen, unable to complete negotiations with Hamilton County on a downtown site, may search elsewhere within the county or adjoining counties.
In March 1996, voters approved a half-cent sales tax increase to build new stadiums for the Reds and the Bengals. Both teams have shared Riverfront Stadium, now Cinergy Field, since it was built in 1970.