Yankees and ‘Other’ Hernandez Agree

Orlando Hernandez, the former Cuban pitcher who defected two months ago, agreed to a $6.6 million, four-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Hernandez, 28, who made about $8 a month as a rehabilitation therapist at a psychiatric hospital before he fled Cuba, turned down an offer from the Angels believed to be worth about $5 million. The Angels’ parent, The Walt Disney Co., reportedly offered a movie deal as part of the contract.

Hernandez’ half-brother, Livan, already has found success in the United States. After defecting, he agreed to a $4,495,000, four-year contract with the Florida Marlins and went on to become the Most Valuable Player of both the NL playoffs and World Series last year.

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Bobby Bonds Jr., who turns 28 today, played in the same outfield with his older brother, Barry Bonds, for the first time earlier this week.

“I loved it--it’s something I’ve been wanting to do since I started,” Bobby Bonds Jr. said.

Giant Manager Dusty Baker said the notion of getting the brothers together in the same outfield was planted last season by Barry.

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St. Louis Cardinals rookie catcher Eli Marrero had surgery to remove his thyroid gland after a low-grade malignant tumor was discovered. . . . Met left-hander Hector Mercado will probably miss the season after tearing a ligament in his left elbow. He will have surgery in New York on Monday. . . . Current Astro and former Angel reliever Bryan Harvey threw one pitch in the ninth inning before leaving with pain he described as a “pop” in his right elbow. Harvey, 34, hasn’t pitched in a regular-season game since an appearance for the Florida Marlins in 1995. . . . Former Dodger Pedro Martinez gave up three runs and three hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Red Sox lost to the Texas Rangers, 9-1, at Port Charlotte, Fla. . . . Arizona Diamondback second baseman Andy Stankiewicz underwent arthroscopic surgery for damaged cartilage in his right knee and will be out 4-6 weeks. Infielder Hanley Frias was found to have a broken bone in his right hand that will require surgery, and he will probably miss two months. . . . Tiger outfielder Juan Encarnacion will be sidelined 8-10 weeks after fouling a ball off his left foot.