In brief: Judge will settle WVU, Rodriguez squabble

West Virginia says Rich Rodriguez owes $4 million for breaking his contract and moving on to Michigan. At most, Rodriguez countered Tuesday, it’s $1.5 million.

Ultimately, a judge will decide who’s right.

In a move his legal team calls a gesture of good faith, not an offer to settle, the former WVU football coach filed a $1.5 million letter of credit with the U.S. District Court in Clarksburg, W.Va.

Rodriguez and his attorneys claim that’s the maximum he could owe under his interpretation of the contract – an amount spelled out in a “maximum liquidated damages provision” that Rodriguez said was in effect when he resigned Dec. 18.

Baseball

Pettitte may confirm

A lawyer for Andy Pettitte’s former personal trainer said he believes the pitcher will tell Congress he discussed human growth hormone with Roger Clemens between the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

The lawyer, Earl Ward, said Pettitte talked about HGH with trainer Brian McNamee following a conversation with Clemens, who has denied that he used HGH or steroids. McNamee worked with both Clemens and Pettitte.

Pettitte’s meeting with a congressional committee investigating drug use in baseball was postponed until Monday.

“The Baseball Hall of Fame Game, an annual tradition in Cooperstown, N.Y., for more than six decades, will end after this year’s June 16 contest between the Cubs and Padres.

“The Washington Nationals and free-agent catcher Johnny Estrada agreed on a one-year, $1.25 million deal pending a physical, a source said.

“Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Damaso Marte was involved in a car accident in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, but did not suffer any serious injuries, an official from his winter league team said.

Miscellany

Wariner, coach split

Defending Olympic 400 meters champion Jeremy Wariner and his longtime coach have split over a contract dispute with the Beijing Games just seven months away.

Clyde Hart, who has coached Wariner for five years beginning with their days at Baylor University, said that Wariner wanted to pay him less than his previous contracts.

“Missouri coach Mike Anderson suspended Stefhon Hannah, Jason Horton, Marshall Brown, Darryl Butterfield and Leo Lyons indefinitely after a weekend altercation left Hannah with a broken jaw.

“Andy Roddick and James Blake will lead the defending champion U.S. against Austria in the first round of the Davis Cup on Feb. 8-10.

“The WNBA players union ratified its new six-year collective bargaining agreement with the league.