(ndy) (LAT-WP All-Sports!) (Includes optional trims)

(ndy) (LAT-WP All-Sports!) (Includes optional trims)
//Wells a Free Agent, but Could Return to Yankees// (New York)
By Ken Davidoff
(c) 2003, Newsday
NEW YORK -- David Wells should know in a few days whether he needs back surgery. He already knows he's a free agent.
The Yankees announced Tuesday that they declined their $6-million option on Wells for 2004. As per the terms of the deal that Wells and George Steinbrenner hammered out at a Tampa area burger joint two Decembers ago, Wells received a $1-million buyout.
Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday the team still might have some interest in bringing back Wells for 2004. But the Yankees, like everyone else in baseball, are curious about the state of Wells' ailing back.
Wells, 40, had to leave his World Series Game 5 start after one inning, citing intense discomfort in his L4 disc, the same problem that made him undergo season-ending surgery in July 2001. In terms of Wells' value on the free-agent market, that performance largely negated his 15 regular-season wins and two in the postseason.
A couple of days after the Yankees' World Series loss, Wells took his family to their home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a friend of the pitcher said. He intends to leave Michigan in a few days and seek further medical attention on his back.
Cashman said Wells would receive a "second opinion," although he wouldn't disclose the first opinion. Regardless, Wells' agent Gregg Clifton (who didn't return a call Tuesday) has said Wells wants to pitch one more year. Avoiding surgery would be the best avenue to that goal.
Cashman said the Yankees wouldn't sign impending free agent Andy Pettitte during their 15-day window of exclusivity, instead letting him explore the market. "I don't want to say we're worried," Cashman said. "But I've got to concede it's possible that he may not be here."
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Felix Heredia declined his player option of $1.7 million for 2004, making himself a free agent. Cashman said the team had interest in re-signing Heredia and fellow left-handed reliever Gabe White, whose option the Yankees declined last week. Heredia appears more likely than White to return.
Distributed by the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service