If they strike a deal, the 15-day suspensions imposed on Kansas City's Jose Guillen and Baltimore's Jay Gibbons in December after being linked to performance-enhancing drugs most likely would be rescinded as part of an overall amnesty for players mentioned in the report, two people familiar with the talks said yesterday.
Former Senate majority leader George Mitchell, a Boston Red Sox director, recommended that commissioner Bud Selig not punish players implicated in his report "except in those cases where he determines that the conduct is so serious that discipline is necessary to maintain the integrity of the game."
If there isn't an agreement, arbitrator Shyam Das probably would be asked to decide whether to stay Guillen's suspension pending a grievance hearing. The players association filed a grievance on behalf of the outfielder, but no hearing dates have been scheduled.
Guillen and Gibbons were suspended Dec. 6, a week before Mitchell issued his report.
Selig adopted most of the recommendations made by Mitchell but could not address those that were subject to collective bargaining.
Noteworthy
* The Chicago Cubs named Kerry Wood their closer, and Jason Marquis the fifth starter.
* San Francisco Giants infielder Kevin Frandsen ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in a minor league game and could miss the entire season. Frandsen was expected to be a utility infielder and start at times at second base.
* Los Angeles Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. injured his right ankle and is day-to-day.
* Minnesota closer Joe Nathan agreed to a 4-year, $47 million, contract.
* The 18-hour plane flight that brought the Red Sox to Tokyo claimed one victim when Sean Casey developed a stiff neck that is expected to keep him out of today's and tomorrow's regular-season games against the Oakland Athletics. *
