OF Wilfredo Cordero Arrested

Free agent outfielder Wilfredo Cordero was charged with disturbing the peace Monday after an altercation with his wife's former husband in a hotel on New Year's Day.

Cordero got into a fight with Felix Perez Torres at the Holiday Inn early Friday, police said. He was released without bail and told to appear in court March 1.

Perez Torres, charged Monday with assault in connection with the fight, was once married to Cordero's wife, Ana Echevarria.

"I was the victim and you can take note of it," Cordero, sporting a bruised upper lip, said to reporters at the courthouse.

Cordero, who was with the Chicago White Sox last season, is playing winter league ball with the Mayaguez Indians.

In 1997, Cordero pleaded guilty to beating and threatening his wife. He received a 90-day suspended sentence and ordered to attend counseling sessions.

Cordero's attorney, Evelyn Garcia, said she didn't believe Friday's altercation would affect Cordero's probation in the 1997 case.

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