AL notebook: Higginson may owe big in child support

Bobby Higginson's former fiance has asked an Oakland County (Mich.) court to order the Detroit Tigers' outfielder to pay $6,410 a week, a third of a million dollars a year, to support their 13-month-old daughter.

Jodi K. Morgan, 31, of Wichita, Kan., said in a motion filed yesterday that Higginson, who will turn 32 Sunday, owes that amount under Michigan's Child Support Guidelines. Under those guidelines, Higginson would have to pay just over 10 percent of his net weekly salary, which is $63,051. His gross weekly salary from the Tigers is $112,191.00.

"This is based strictly on the (state) guidelines," Morgan's attorney, George E. Snyder of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., said. "We simply ran the computer, and there the numbers were."

Under Michigan law, a parent who owes child support pays a flat percentage of net income.

"It's purely based on what the formula says," said Ron Kollen, an analyst for the Friend of the Court Bureau of the State Court Administrator's office, which formulates and oversees the guidelines.

"It's a flat percentage but it makes no sense; sometimes people have to be rational," Higginson's attorney, Henry S. Gornbein of Bloomfield Hills, said yesterday. If no accommodation is reached, he said, "I will not hesitate to challenge the law."

Higginson, in Anaheim, Calif., with the Tigers, declined to comment.

Anaheim: Barring an injury or a players' strike, LHP Jarrod Washburn should have nine starts remaining as he tries to get five more wins to become the Angels' first 20-game winner since 1974, when Nolan Ryan went 22-16 in 41 starts.

Chicago: SS Jose Valentin became the fourth White Sox player to homer from both sides of the plate in a game when he hit a grand slam from the right side and a solo shot from the left side in Tuesday night's 12-3 victory over Texas. Brian Simmons (1998), Tim Raines (1993) and Ken Henderson (1975) are the others.

Cleveland: RHP Bob Wickman will fly to Los Angeles today to have his right elbow examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum. Wickman experienced discomfort throwing before last night's game. ... OF Milton Bradley underwent an appendectomy and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The team recalled OF Covelli Crisp from Class AA Akron.

Kansas City: Manager Tony Pena said he is skipping rookie right-hander Runelvys Hernandez in his next scheduled start. Hernandez came out after only five innings in his start Sunday against Tampa Bay because of a sore elbow, although he allowed only an infield single. Pena said left-hander Darrell May will take Hernandez's spot in the rotation Saturday against the Devil Rays.

Minnesota: Rick Reed's 10th victory of the season Tuesday night gave the Twins three pitchers with at least 10 wins for the third straight year. The last time that happened for Minnesota was 1991-93.

New York: RHP Roger Clemens is 10-3, giving him 16 career 10-win seasons — most among active pitchers.

Oakland: OF Jermaine Dye stole his first base of the season in the third inning, on his first attempt. Dye had nine of his 17 career steals last year.

Toronto: OF Jose Cruz, Jr. will be reevaluated today to determine the severity of his sprained left ankle. Putting him on the DL has not been ruled out. "We'll make a decision after getting him checked out," Manager Carlos Tosca said.

Texas: LHP John Rocker was back in Arlington, Texas, to have his left shoulder examined by team physician Dr. John Conway. Rocker then returned to AA Tulsa to resume his rehab assignment.

— Times news services