A major league pitcher who defected from Cuba has been sued for $18 million by a Cuban-American man who blames the player for his imprisonment on the communist island.

The lawsuit was filed last week in Miami federal court against Aroldis Chapman, a left-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. The lawsuit claims that Chapman falsely accused Danilo Curbelo Garcia of involvement in human trafficking, leading to his 2008 arrest and conviction in Cuba. Curbelo Garcia is serving a 10-year sentence.

Chapman defected in 2009 in the Netherlands and was signed a year later by the Reds to a six-year, $30.25 million contract. The lawsuit claims Chapman accused Curbelo Garcia to win favor with the Cuban government so he could rejoin its national baseball team and eventually travel overseas to stage his escape. Chapman had been suspended from the team for a previous attempt to flee Cuba.

“His decision to leave the country led to his methodical subterfuge, which centered on demonstrating his loyalty to the state, which he accomplished by becoming an informant … and falsely reporting and testifying against Curbelo Garcia,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit was filed in South Florida because Chapman owns a home in the area and Curbelo Garcia’s wife and daughter both live there.

The lawsuit surfaced just before Chapman, 24, was arrested for speeding and driving with a suspended license early Monday in Ohio.

Chapman has a 9-3 career won-loss record, a 2.42 ERA and 129 strikeouts in just over 85 innings.

Clearing the bases

Brewers first baseman Mat Gamel had surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is out for the season. … Brian Roberts will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment today, a significant step in his bid to return to the Orioles from a concussion that has kept him sidelined for more than a year. … The Red Sox placed outfielder Cody Ross on the 15-day disabled list and activated Kevin Youkilis, who was on the DL with a strained lower back. … The White Sox agreed to a contract with veteran infielder Orlando Hudson for the rest of the season and put third baseman Brent Morel on the 15-day DL because of a lower back strain.