Monday, March 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Cecil Fielder's contract squabbles are over. At least for now.
On Sunday, Fielder found out he was locked into staying with the New York Yankees -- at $7.2 million for the 1997 season.
Then he learned he was late for work, and scratched from the starting lineup for an exhibition game against Philadelphia at Tampa, Fla.
"We don't want any distractions from here on out," Yankees manager Joe Torre said, adding that Fielder will be disciplined. "It's time to play baseball."
Fielder said a miscommunication with his agent was the reason he was late. The mixup came Saturday evening shortly before the Yankees essentially called Fielder's bluff, a move that meant Big Daddy will be back as their designated hitter.
The one-time UNLV player had until midnight to decide whether to drop his trade demand or become a free agent and lose his '97 salary.
"I just feel like, hey, it didn't work out," Fielder said. "I'm under contract with the Yankees. I'm making an abundance of money."
NOTES: Anaheim pitcher Chuck Finley broke a bone below his right eye when he was hit by a bat and is expected to be sidelined up to five weeks. ... Oakland first baseman Mark McGwire missed a fourth straight game Sunday because of back stiffness. ... Baltimore still is working on a contract extension with Cal Ripken. The Orioles' latest proposal is a two-year extension of Ripken's current salary of $6.2 million. He wants $21 million over three years. ... Cincinnati acquired reliever Joey Eischen from San Diego for a player to be named.
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
* PADRES 10, GIANTS 7: At Scottsdale, Ariz., San Francisco closer Rod Beck gave up six runs in the ninth.
* DODGERS 5, EXPOS 4: At Vero Beach, Fla., pinch-hitter Wayne Kirby singled home the winning run in the ninth.
* ATHLETICS 15, ANGELS 9: At Phoenix, Jason Giambi hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs, and Jose Canseco had a two-run shot. Angels starter Jim Abbott was roughed up for eight runs and five hits in 2 1-3 innings.
* CUBS (ss) 9, MARINERS (ss) 5: At Peoria, Ariz., Doug Glanville went 3-for-4, hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning. Terry Mulholland improved to 3-0 this spring.
* BREWERS 15, CUBS (ss) 6: At Chandler, Ariz., Jeromy Burnitz hit a grand slam and Jose Valentin added a three-run homer as Milwaukee stopped an eight-game losing streak.
* MARINERS (ss) 12, ROCKIES 8: At Peoria, Ariz., Jay Buhner's 430-foot, two-run homer capped a five-run rally in the seventh for Seattle. Right-hander Rafael Carmona pitched a scoreless final 2 2-3 innings for the win.
* YANKEES 3, PHILLIES 3: At Tampa, Fla., Scott Pose hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning as New York gained a tie.
* REDS 11, MARLINS 5: At Melbourne, Fla., Pokey Reese drove in three runs, part of a 17-hit attack as Cincinnati sent Florida to its third straight loss following a 15-1 start.
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