Roberts, eight more suspended

around the horn

Former New York Mets pitcher Grant Roberts was among nine players suspended for 15 games Friday for violating baseball’s minor league steroids policy, raising the total this year to 47.

Outfielder Adam Seuss, who was released by the Mets and then signed with the Houston Astros, also tested positive for violating the steroids policy.

Three of the players suspended were from the Baltimore Orioles organization: Gary Cates Jr., Rafael Diaz and Richard Salazar.

“The players are very well educated on the policy. Unfortunately, it happened despite all that education,” Orioles vice president Mike Flanagan said.

Also suspended were James Jurries and Ricardo Rodriguez (Atlanta Braves), Eider Torres (Cleveland Indians) and Damien Myers (released by the Detroit Tigers).

Sierra out for month

Yankees designated hitter Ruben Sierra will be sidelined for at least a month because of a partially torn right biceps.

New York said Sierra, put on the disabled list Thursday, probably will not need surgery and immediately will start a rehabilitation program.

•Barry Bonds was back on crutches, which might mean a setback in his recovery from right knee surgery, but the slugger and the San Francisco Giants aren’t talking.

•Jim Thome was held out of the Philadelphia Phillies’ starting lineup with a stiff back and is day to day.

•The Giants activated outfielder Moises Alou from the 15-day disabled list before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

•Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was granted a special permit to enter Canada for a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ponson had trouble obtaining a work visa because of his involvement in two court cases. He spent 11 days in an Aruban jail after he punched a judge in a Christmas Day brawl, and was arrested in Florida less than a month later for driving under the influence of alcohol.