REPORT: DODGERS TO RETAIN BELTRE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

A television report late Thursday said the Dodgers would be fined for signing third baseman Adrian Beltre, but the club would not lose him to free agency.

Fox Sports News said an announcement would come Monday from Major League Baseball stating the Dodgers wouldn't lose the 20-year-old Beltre, signed at 15, because the statute of limitations expired. Beltre was signed more than five years ago.

But that rule may come down to an interpretation. A rule states a player has one year to file for a grievance after the claim is made, baseball officials said. According to representatives of the player's association, that date was in late March when Beltre and his agent, Scott Boras, first discovered Beltre was signed illegally. Players must be 16 to sign a contract.

Neither Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone nor Boras could be reached for comment. Dodgers officials said Thursday evening they hadn't heard a ruling from the commissioner's office.

If Beltre isn't declared a free agent, Gene Orza, the associate general counsel for the players association, said he expects the union to file a grievance. Boras echoed those sentiments numerous times.

The issue would move in front of an independent arbitrator, which could take until late January to make a decision.

Malone said regardless of what the ruling was, the Dodgers would move forward based upon it and not worry about appeals or grievances.

Sandy Alderson, executive vice president of baseball operations for the commissioner's office, is handling the investigation. He said during the weekend that all interviews were finished, but he still needed to talk with commissioner Bud Selig about the issue. Selig will make the final decision.

Beltre hit .275 with 15 homers, 67 RBI and 18 stolen bases in his first full season with the Dodgers.