Originally published Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM

AL | Yankees' Dominican scouts facing scrutiny

Several New York Yankees employees who scouted in the Dominican Republic have been placed on leave by the organization pending an investigation...

Several New York Yankees employees who scouted in the Dominican Republic have been placed on leave by the organization pending an investigation by Major League Baseball into the signing of prospects, according to a person in baseball who has been briefed on the matter.

Major League Baseball and the FBI are investigating whether club employees paid players small portions of player bonuses and kept the difference for themselves.

The Yankees are among the six to eight teams that are being looked at as part of the investigation, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to jeopardize his access to sensitive information.

MLB is looking into whether Yankees prospects did not receive portions of their signing bonuses, which then went to team employees, the person said. The Yankees' employees on leave are based in the Dominican Republic.

ESPN.com first reported Monday that investigators for MLB were looking into the accusations.

The Web site also reported that the Dominican scouting supervisor for the Boston Red Sox, Pablo Lantigua, was fired last week after he was confronted by baseball investigators and accused of skimming signing bonuses.

The Red Sox said Monday that Lantigua was fired for violating team policy.

Boston: 2B Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 4 against Kansas City, raising his average to .401 over the last 43 games.

New York: RHP Joba Chamberlain, who left the game in Texas with a stiff right shoulder, will return to New York today for tests. Manager Joe Girardi said the 22-year-old probably will miss a turn in the rotation.

Oakland: 3B Eric Chavez will have surgery next week to repair fraying of the labrum in his right shoulder, ending his season. He played in only 23 games.

Tampa Bay: OF Rocco Baldelli (chronic muscle fatigue) worked out with the Rays and might be close to returning to play.

Seattle Times news services

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