LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to have broken Major League Baseball rules by signing third baseman Adrian Beltre before his 16th birthday, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

	Beltre

An investigation into the matter could result in the player being granted free agency, the Times reported, citing unnamed sources.

Beltre was in the Dominican Republic and could not be reached for comment.

If he is granted free agency, the Dodgers may be prohibited from re-signing him or may face a bidding war with other teams to return him to the roster.

In a move that could be insurance in case Beltre is granted free agency, the Dodgers on Friday acquired third baseman Kevin Orie from the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later.

The Dodgers learned about the situation Oct. 28 after a copy of Beltre's birth certificate was examined by team officials, sources said. The team then notified the baseball commissioner's office.

Beltre's agent, Scott Boras, filed a petition with the commissioner's office Wednesday that said the Dodgers knowingly violated his client's rights. He requested Beltre be declared a free agent.

The Dodgers acknowledged the commissioner's investigation in a written statement, but said it was not yet clear whether Beltre's signing violated any rules.

A spokesman for Major League Baseball confirmed it is investigating the matter. As to whether Beltre could become a free agent after the investigation, the spokesman said baseball would "take in a whole variety of factors" before making a ruling.

"The Dodgers respect and strongly endorse the rules and regulations of Major League Baseball," general manager Kevin Malone said. "And we fully intend to comply with those rules."

The Dodgers reportedly signed the Dominican Republic native in 1994 and stated the 15-year-old was a year older on documents filed with the commissioner's office in New York, sources told the Times. Teams are prohibited from signing foreign players younger than 16.

The Dodgers were reprimanded earlier this year for breaking rules that bar scouting in Cuba and engineering defections. The team was punished after Juan Carlos Diaz and Josue Perez revealed they were signed to contracts after a Dodger scout helped them flee their native Cuba.

The commissioner's office declared the players free agents, fined the Dodgers $200,000 and prohibited the team from re-signing the players.

Beltre hit .275 with 15 home runs and 67 RBI during his first full season in the majors.

Orie, 27, hit .254 with six home runs and 29 RBI in 77 games this past season. A supplemental pick between the first and second rounds of the 1993 draft, Orie has only a career .248 average with 22 homers and 111 RBI in 303 games.

"We've been trying to find some corner infield depth," Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone said. "So we are pleased to acquire Kevin Orie, which helps strengthen us in that regard."

Los Angeles has until April 1 to complete their end of the deal.

"We want to thank Kevin for his professionalism over the past season and a half," Florida general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "Kevin did a fine job with the Marlins, but with the progress of Mike Lowell at third base, we feel that is the direction the club is headed."