Contreras, family off to New York

The family of New York Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras resolved a paperwork issue Wednesday and was preparing to leave South Florida.

Contreras’ wife, Miriam Murillo, and the couple’s two daughters, Naylan, 11, and Naylenis, 3, defected to the United States from Cuba on Monday. The group was given immigration forms that should expire June 22, 2005, but a clerical error listed the expiration date as June 22, 2004, said the family’s lawyer, Jaime Torres.

The matter was cleared up and new documents were issued late Wednesday afternoon, Torres said.

The family also had to obtain photo identifications that would allow them to, among other things, meet federal requirements for boarding commercial airline flights.

Contreras, who is not scheduled to pitch again until Saturday at Yankee Stadium against the New York Mets, spent much of Wednesday at the Miami Beach hotel where his family stayed Tuesday night. Torres spent much of the day shuttling his wife and daughters to immigration offices.

Contreras’ family was among a group of 21 Cubans that left Cuba on a 31-foot boat Sunday evening, U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Robert Montemayor said.

The group was captured by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Big Pine Key, about 108 miles southwest of Miami, at 5:15 a.m. Monday, Montemayor said, then transferred into ICE custody early Tuesday morning. Cubans who reach U.S. shores are generally permitted to stay, while those caught at sea usually are taken back.

The family was released into Torres’ custody Tuesday evening. Contreras flew to Miami on a commercial flight from Baltimore and was reunited with his family about four hours after their release.

Contreras, once was touted as Cuba’s top baseball star, defected in October 2002. After he established residency in Nicaragua and became a free agent, the Yankees signed him to a $32 million, four-year contract. The Cuban government denied his family permission to leave the island nation.

Separation from his family was often cited as a possible reason for Contreras’ bouts of inconsistency in New York. He is 4-3 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 starts this season.

Pettitte pitches five scoreless innings

Houston’s Andy Pettitte pitched five scoreless innings Wednesday in a rehabilitation start for the Double-A Round Rock Express.

Pettitte, recovering from a strained left forearm, threw 43 of 72 pitches for strikes against the Midland Rockhounds.

He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five. The left-hander hit 90 mph on his fastball 10 times and 91 mph once, and he showed sharp control.

Beckett likely headed to DL with back injury

Florida ace Josh Beckett is probably headed back to the disabled list.

Beckett, trying to recover from a strained back muscle, felt pain while throwing for a second consecutive day Wednesday.

He was hoping to start Saturday at Tampa Bay, but a team spokesman said Beckett’s latest setback likely will land the World Series MVP on the 15-day DL for the second time in less than a month.

Beckett (4-4, 3.86 ERA) threw about five minutes Tuesday before feeling some pain and stopping. He felt more discomfort Wednesday while throwing from about 90 feet.

Bush no longer faces felony charge

Maricopa County prosecutors will not pursue a felony charge against San Diego Padres prospect Matt Bush, who was arrested for allegedly biting a bouncer escorting him out of a bar.

Bill FitzGerald, a spokesman for the County Attorney’s Office, said that the case was sent back to the city of Peoria, meaning no felony charges would be filed. The shortstop, the No. 1 pick in this month’s amateur draft, could face misdemeanor counts.

All-Star managers select coaching staffs

Yankees manager Joe Torre and Marlins manager Jack McKeon filled out their coaching staffs for next month’s All-Star game in Houston.

Torre selected Royals manager Tony Pena and Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca as the two A.L. coaches.

McKeon picked Astros manager Jimy Williams and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle for the N.L. team.

The All-Star game is July 13.