Dowd demands cooperation
The lawyer who headed baseball’s investigation of Pete Rose wants commissioner Bud Selig to suspend players who don’t cooperate with the steroids probe spearheaded by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.
John Dowd said Selig should try to overturn the 1980 arbitration decision in a case involving Ferguson Jenkins. The ruling upheld a player’s right to refuse to answer questions from baseball management if it jeopardized his legal position in a criminal case.
“I tell you what, it’s time that stuff was challenged,” Dowd said Tuesday in a telephone interview during which he criticized the players’ union. “They already have too much power on this whole (steroids) issue anyway, in my opinion. And they’ve abused it. It’s really disgraceful what the union’s done here.”
Clemens set to return
Roger Clemens is ready to return to the New York Yankees’ rotation and is likely to start against the White Sox Monday at Chicago.
Clemens pitched six shutout innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.
Dukes makes apology
Troubled Tampa Bay outfielder Elijah Dukes apologized for allegations contained in a published report revealing his estranged wife sought a restraining order after being threatened by the 22-year-old rookie.
“I would like to apologize to my family, teammates, the fans and the organization for the distraction that this situation has caused,” Dukes said. “I would like to thank them for standing by me and hope that my family and I can move on and put this behind us.”
Clearing the bases
Mets outfielder Shawn Green went on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken right foot. … Reds outfielder Ryan Freel was released from the hospital and placed on the 15-day disabled list a day after he was hurt in a frightening outfield collision that resulted in contusions to his head and neck. … Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus was a late scratch from the game against the New York Yankees because of a tight hamstring. … Atlanta right-hander John Smoltz left his start against the Milwaukee Brewers after feeling a tweak in his pitching shoulder.