Orioles Get Berroa From Athletics

The Baltimore Orioles ended their search for a power hitter Friday, obtaining Geronimo Berroa from the Oakland A’s for minor-league pitcher Jimmy Haynes and a player to be named.

Berroa, 32, is hitting .310 with 16 homers and 42 RBIs. He will fill the void left by the absence of outfielder Eric Davis, who is on the 60-day disabled list after cancer surgery. The Orioles are also without catcher Chris Hoiles, on the disabled list because of a torn knee ligament.

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Wil Cordero’s days in Boston may be numbered. The commissioner’s office started an investigation of domestic abuse allegations while efforts moved toward a possible trade.

Kevin Hallinan, baseball’s executive director of security, was assigned to look into the domestic abuse reports.

“Allegations of domestic abuse and domestic violence are to be taken extremely seriously,” acting Commissioner Bud Selig said. “There is no room in baseball or society for such behavior.”

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White Sox slugger Albert Belle, interviewed during a federal investigation of illegal bookmaking, money laundering and tax fraud, has been granted immunity, according to a top baseball official who spoke on the condition he not be identified. Belle, who admitted losing as much as $40,000 betting on sports other than baseball, is not the target of the probe and is unlikely to testify before a grand jury, said the source.

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Third baseman Jeff Cirillo and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a $12.65-million, four-year contract extension through 2001.