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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ankiel: HGH was prescribed by doctor


St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty, left, and Rick Ankiel meet the media. Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Major League Baseball asked Friday to meet with Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus after the pair were accused of receiving performance- enhancing drugs from a Florida pharmacy under investigation for illegally distributing prescription medications.

Ankiel, who has hit nine homers since rejoining the St. Louis Cardinals last month, received eight shipments of human growth hormone from January to December 2004, the New York Daily News reported.

Glaus, a four-time All-Star now with the Toronto Blue Jays, received multiple shipments of nandrolone and testosterone between September 2003 and May 2004, SI.com reported.

“All and any medications that I’ve received in my career has always been under a doctor’s care, a licensed physician,” Ankiel told reporters.

HGH was not banned by baseball until 2005. Because there isn’t a validated urine test for HGH, there are suspicions that its use is on the rise.

Baseball is helping fund attempts to develop a urine test for the substance.

Reds catcher gets 50

Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Jorgenson was suspended for 50 games, the third player penalized this year under Major League Baseball’s drug program.

The announcement from the commissioner’s office did not cite a failed drug test, making it unclear why he was being suspended.

Clearing the bases

The union for minor league umpires said its members will let Major League Baseball perform background checks, a move the commissioner’s office requested in the wake of the NBA’s referee betting scandal. … Pittsburgh general manager Dave Littlefield was fired after the franchise showed negligible progress on the field and not nearly enough in its farm system. Director of player development Brian Graham will serve as interim GM. … Houston interviewed Los Angeles Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White. The Astros will interview more candidates next week. … Noah Lowry, a 14-game winner for the San Francisco Giants, is nursing a mild strain in his elbow and will likely be shut down for the remainder of the season.