MLB lawyers talk to Giambi
On the same day a report alleged he failed an amphetamines test, Jason Giambi met with lawyers from the baseball commissioner’s office Wednesday to discuss his recent comments on steroids.
“The commissioner requested that Jason come in in response to the USA Today piece. Jason was interviewed this morning,” union general counsel Michael Weiner said.
He was not interviewed about the amphetamine report, which appeared in the Daily News. The paper said he flunked the test within the last year.
Asked about the report at Yankee Stadium, Giambi said: “I can’t give you an accurate explanation.”
Asked about the meeting, he said, “I hope it went smooth. It was definitely a willingness on both sides.”
Giambi said no followup session has been scheduled. The meeting, at baseball’s main office, lasted less than an hour.
“It’s more or less now wait and see,” he said.
“Carl Pavano probably is expected to opt for Tommy John surgery on his elbow that would sideline him for most if not all of the time remaining on his $39.95 million, four-year contract with the Yankees.
“Yankees rookie Phil Hughes threw 35 pitches off a mound during his first bullpen session since straining his left hamstring earlier this month. Hughes was injured on May 1 in the midst of a no-hit bid against the Texas Rangers in his second major league start.
Rays’ Duke held out
Tampa Bay rookie Elijah Dukes was held out of the lineup against Seattle following a published report that his estranged wife sought a restraining order after being threatened by the 22-year-old outfielder.
The St. Petersburg Times reported NiShea Gilbert filed for court protection after receiving a threatening message on her cell phone on May 2, as well as a text message that included a picture of a handgun.
Dukes and his wife have been married since February 2006 and have two children, whose safety also were threatened in the phone message.
Clearing the bases
Former major league closer Troy Percival, who last pitched in the big leagues in 2005, will attempt a comeback. … The Oakland Athletics placed OF Milton Bradley on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The move is retroactive to May 15. The A’s called up infielder Donnie Murphy from Triple-A Sacramento. … Arizona left-hander Randy Johnson will miss his start Friday with tendinitis in his forearm.