Baseball Notes: Science may be behind increased drug positives
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said the sport’s drug testing program is improving, and more refined science might be what’s behind the larger number of positive performance-enhancing drug tests – a trend which has already led to the suspension of seven Major League players in this young season.
“The window of detection on certain substances have been lengthened,” Manfred said at the conclusion of the owners meetings at the league offices in midtown on Thursday. “It’s just science getting better. That may be one explanation for what we’re seeing . There’s not some big additional group of positives sitting out there, I can tell you that.”
The most significant suspension this season has been Marlins second baseman and reigning National League batting champion Dee Gordon, who was suspended for 80 games last month. Gordon has insisted he took a banned substance by accident. The number of suspensions is up from five players all of last season (Former Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia was suspended twice last year, and a third time in February).
“You never want a player to test positive, right?” Manfred said. “On the other hand, we do know that performance-enhancing drugs are a constant temptation and when you catch somebody, I think it’s a validation of the fact the program is working.”
Reyes returns from domestic violence suspension
Jose Reyes took the last of his dozen-or-so swings, stepped out of the batting cage and did a little dance to the beat of the music playing from a small radio in the grass near his feet.
Contrite but happy to be back on a baseball field, Colorado’s All-Star shortstop worked out at the Rockies’ spring training facility, his first step in returning from a 59-day suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy.
“It’s good to be on the field and put that stuff behind me,” Reyes said. “I’m sorry. I made a mistake and will stand here like a man. I just have to try to be a better man, a better husband.”
Rounding the bases
The Texas Rangers have optioned left-handed reliever Andrew Faulkner to Triple-A Round Rock, opening up a roster spot for the likely return of outfielder Shin-Soo Choo from the disabled list. …The Atlanta Braves removed infielder Erick Aybar from the starting lineup for Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after getting a chicken bone stuck in his throat. …Minnesota has optioned outfielder Eddie Rosario to Triple-A Rochester, the latest struggling young player sent down by the sputtering Twins. Outfielder Robbie Grossman had his contract selected from Rochester to replace Rosario on the roster before the game against Toronto. …The Reds lost yet another starter to injury when Tim Adleman left after throwing a pitch in the fourth inning of a game against the Cleveland Indians.