Hernandez Sticks By Friends

Former Cuban pitcher Orlando el Duque Hernandez pledged from the Bahamas to stand by five fellow rafters from his homeland, but his common-law wife quickly took advantage of a U.S. offer of asylum, flying to Miami.

The developments came as another Cuban ballplayer defected from his homeland, arriving in Costa Rica to establish residency there, Miami sports agent Joe Cubas said. The ballplayer, Juan Medina, a 21- or 22-year-old pitcher from Camaguey, is at least the 25th Cuban ballplayer to defect since 1991.

Hernandez told reporters by a conference call from the Bahamas that the fate of those five was more important than rushing to the U.S. to resume his baseball career.

“It’s those five people I’m worried about, not money. I want liberty for those five Cubans,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying. “I just can’t abandon my friends. I will die with them.”

Reliever Doug Brocail and starter Scott Sanders re-signed with the Detroit Tigers. Brocail agreed to a $1.65 million, two-year contract. Sanders agreed to a $1.7 million, one-year contract.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed outfielder Jacob Brumfield and infielder Jeff Patzke to minor-league contracts and invited them to spring training.

Right-handed pitcher Esteban Loaiza and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a two-year contract worth $1,925,000.

Left-hander Joe Crawford was placed on waivers by the New York Mets, who intend to sell his contract to the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League.

The Kansas City Royals signed free-agent pitcher Brian Barber to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.