FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The March 28 exhibition between the Orioles and the Cuban national team has suffered its first defection. Juan Guzman, initially projected as the Orioles' starter for the game, will not accompany the team to Havana.

Coupling concerns for Guzman's well-being with a desire to alter his starting rotation, manager Ray Miller named Scott Erickson to start the historic game, which marks the first competition between American professionals and Cuban athletes since 1959.

Guzman voiced his concern during Saturday's players association clubhouse meeting and was told by union head Don Fehr that any player could opt out of the trip. Miller then approached Guzman about pitching instead in Port St. Lucie on March 27 and not accompanying the club to Cuba.

Though some non-playing personnel expressed some reservations, Guzman apparently will be the only team member to abstain from the trip, according to general manager Frank Wren.

Guzman is a native of the Dominican Republic who lives in a Miami neighborhood with a significant Cuban population. Guzman also employs Cuban domestics. Many exiles consider the game a tacit acceptance of the Castro regime by the Clinton administration. A protest by about 70 exiles was staged at an exhibition immediately after the Havana exhibition was announced.

The Orioles will play host to the Cuban national team at Camden Yards in the second half of the series on May 3.

"I think everybody knows some of the people in Miami don't want us to go down there," Guzman said. "I just had one question: Am I going to have some problem if I go down there because I live in Miami? They didn't think so."

Still, Miller thought it prudent to suggest that Guzman refrain from attending. After speculating for several weeks about separating Mike Mussina and Erickson, Miller took the opportunity to follow through. Guzman will now start the season's second game instead of the third.

Miller says the move is as much tactical as it is in deference to Guzman's request. He theorizes that inserting Guzman in the No. 2 spot will help preserve a bullpen blown apart by overuse last season. Mussina has pitched more than 200 innings the last four seasons; Erickson has done so the past three. Combined, Guzman, Scott Kamieniecki and Sidney Ponson have compiled only two 200-inning seasons.

While Guzman likely will be the only absentee, he has received support from his clubhouse and the organization.

"I don't have a problem with him not going," said Mussina, the Orioles' player representative. "I'm sure other guys, if they had the same situation, would be a little nervous about going, too. It's a specific situation and this might be the best way to handle it."

Left fielder B. J. Surhoff, the only team member to have visited the site during a January exploratory visit, reaffirmed that Guzman is exercising a prerogative any player may use regarding an international exhibition.

"It's been inferred from the start that everyone had the right not to go if they had a problem with it. It doesn't matter whether it's Monterrey [Mexico], Japan or wherever," he said. "That was made clear the other day during the meeting."

"The players were told they did not have to go if they had a reason. They were told that by the players association when they were here. I don't think it's a big deal," Wren said.

Guzman played down his absence from the trip, saying, "A big deal would be Cal [Ripken] or Albert Belle not going. That would be a big deal. I'm just one of the pitchers in the rotation."

Pressed on whether he has received any pressure from Miami's Cuban community, Guzman said, "I know I'm not going so I don't think I'll have any problem."

Guzman becomes the first player to indicate any uneasiness over a trip considered controversial in this part of the country. The Orioles have promoted the home-and-home series as a "people-to-people" goodwill exchange that subordinates ideological and political issues.

Mussina classified himself as "neutral" regarding the politics surrounding the event. Other players have complained more about the second game being staged one month into the season than over security, logistical or political issues. Asked if issues such as the recent imprisonment of four political dissidents might affect the outlook, Mussina referred to the U.S. government's relationship with China despite evidence of human rights violations.

"You have to break the ice one way or the other, and this may be the best way," he said.

The Orioles plan to take 31 players to Havana -- their projected 25-man roster minus Guzman along with seven extras. Only 25 players will be listed as active for the game. Miller indicated none of his starting pitchers except for Erickson would be available, essentially giving him 18 or 19 position players.

It is stipulated in the agreement reached with the team, Major League Baseball and the Cuban sports authority that all regulars would attend.

"You want our players to go. We're representing our country and Major League Baseball so you take your 25 players," said Miller.

While aware of the exhibitions' symbolism, Miller is also keenly aware of the pressure for his team to perform, especially before a capacity crowd at Latin American Stadium.

"I want a representative club out there. They are playing the Baltimore Orioles. We're going to get worldwide attention. So you play the team," Miller said, adding, "I will let our players know that this will be the seventh game of the World Series for their country."

Pub Date: 3/17/99