Ortiz denies steroids use

David Ortiz said he never knowingly used steroids and that over-the-counter supplements and vitamins likely caused him to land on a list of alleged drug users circulated by the federal government.

Major League Baseball and the players’ union said just because a player’s name was on the list didn’t mean he used steroids.

“I definitely was a little bit careless back in those days when I was buying supplements and vitamins over the counter – legal supplements, legal vitamins over the counter – but I never buy steroids or use steroids,” Ortiz said during a news conference that began about 31/2 hours before his Boston Red Sox played the New York Yankees in New York.

“I never thought that buying supplements and vitamins, it was going to hurt anybody’s feelings.”

MLB said in a statement Saturday that at most 96 urine samples tested positive in the 2003 survey – and the players’ association said 13 of those were in dispute.

Dr. Gary Wadler, who heads the committee that determines the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned-substances list, said Ortiz’s explanation was believable, given that before January 2005 many over-the-counter substances could cause positive tests.

“Given the uncertainties inherent in the list, we urge the press and the public to use caution in reaching conclusions based on leaks of names, particularly from sources whose identities are not revealed,” MLB said in a statement.

Clearing the bases

Jake Peavy will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday after throwing off the mound Saturday, and the Chicago White Sox’s recently acquired right-hander could be back in the big leagues this month. … The Chicago Cubs have placed right-hander Carlos Zambrano on the 15-day disabled list a day after he was scratched from his start with muscle spasms in his back. … Baltimore Orioles left-hander Rich Hill has had season-ending shoulder surgery. … Cincinnati third baseman Scott Rolen was scratched from the starting lineup against the San Francisco Giants because he is experiencing concussion-like symptoms. He was hit in the head by a pitch from Colorado right-hander Jason Marquis last Sunday.