The Associated Press

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - Baseball's annual Hall of Fame game and induction ceremonies will take place on different weekends for the first time.

The exhibition game between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay will be played June 16, and the induction will take place July 27. The change was needed because of a conflict with the major-league schedule.

Results of the Hall of Fame vote by the Baseball Writers' Association of America will be announced Tuesday. Eddie Murray and Gary Carter are leading candidates on the ballot.

The vote by the veterans' committee will be announced Feb. 26. That ballot includes former Reds great Ted Kluszewski, along with Bobby Bonds, Rocky Colavito, Curt Flood, Gil Hodges, Roger Maris, Thurman Munson, Don Newcombe, Allie Reynolds, Joe Torre, Maury Wills, former players association head Marvin Miller and former commissioner Bowie Kuhn.

CUBS: Reliever Rod Beck, who has 266 saves in his major-league career, agreed to a minor-league contract with Chicago.

Beck, 34, invited to spring training as a non-roster player, is attempting a comeback from elbow ligament replacement surgery. The right-hander is a three-time All-Star but has not pitched since 2001.

Chicago also gave an $800,000, one-year deal to backup infielder Ramon Martinez, who hit .269 in 368 big-league games.

PADRES-A'S TRADE: San Diego traded right-handed pitcher Jeremy Fikac to Oakland for a player to be named or cash. Fikac, a reliever, went 4-7 with a 5.48 ERA in 65 appearances for the Padres in 2002.

TWINS: Infielder Chris Gomez agreed to a minor-league contract and was invited to spring training as a non-roster player. Gomez, 31, hit .265 for Tampa Bay last season.