Baseball looking at worldwide draft

New York — Baseball players and owners have started their talks on a worldwide draft, 8 1/2 months after establishing a committee to draw up rules.

Baseball’s new labor contract called for the committee to meet by last Oct. 15, but it finally had its first session Friday in Chicago. Management lawyer Frank Coonelly and union lawyer Michael Weiner said they were trying to schedule another meeting for later this month.

“We had a very productive discussion,” Coonelly said Thursday. “We’ve done considerable work in terms of what we need to effect a worldwide draft if we reach agreement on one.”

Franco makes second rehab appearance

Port St. Lucie, Fla. — New York Mets reliever John Franco pitched one inning Thursday in his second rehabilitation appearance, exactly one year after reconstructive surgery on his left elbow.

Franco threw 10 pitches in one inning for the Class A St. Lucie Mets against the Fort Myers Miracle, a Minnesota farm team. He allowed one hit — a bunt single — and struck out one.

Ankiel appearance short for Double-A Cardinals

Kodak, Tenn. — Rick Ankiel lasted less than two innings Thursday in his second start for the St. Louis Cardinals’ Double-A Tennessee farm team.

The 23-year-old left-hander allowed four earned runs, four hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings, striking out two as Chattanooga won 8-7.

Ankiel (1-2) didn’t appear in a regular-season game in 2002 because of an elbow injury, and spent most of 2001 in the Cardinals’ minor league system.