Rockies outfielder Jorge Piedra was suspended 10 days Monday for violating baseball's new policy on performance-enhancing drugs, becoming the second player to be publicly identified under the major leagues' tougher rules.
Devil Rays outfielder Alex Sanchez was suspended for 10 days April 4. He said he tested positive from a supplement he bought over the counter before Jan.15, when it was made a controlled substance.
Piedra's suspension began with Colorado's game at Arizona on Monday night, the commissioner's office said.
"My understanding is that he is not filing an appeal," said Gene Orza , chief operating officer of the players' association.
"It's unfortunate," said commissioner Bud Selig , who was in Boston for the Red Sox-Yankees game. "I'm afraid this probably won't be the last one."
Under the new policy that took effect last month, steroids and other performance-enhancing substances are the only drugs to draw a 10-day suspension. Baseball officials and the players' union agreed they would not disclose the exact substance for which a player tests positive.
"I think if you asked everybody in here, everybody would say he's a good guy," Rockies second baseman Aaron Miles said. "I guess it shows that no matter if you're in the minor leagues or the big leagues, you're name is going to come out."
Grapefruit League
draws record crowds
Despite 24 rainouts, major-league spring training in Florida set attendance records this year.
A total of 1,598,454 fans attended games, the Florida Sports Foundation reported. That broke the previous high of 1,598,255, set in 1998.
The Yankees drew 152,655 to Legends Field in Tampa to lead in team attendance.
The average turnout at the 256 games played was 6,244, a jump of almost 8 percent from the record set last year.
Eighteen teams train in Florida, and 12 recorded increases in per-game attendance.
Helping boost the figures was the offseason move of the Montreal Expos to Washington. The Nationals drew 74,904 to their Viera base, despite four rainouts.
The Rays drew 65,461 in 14 home games (they had one rainout), averaging 4,675, down from 4,880 in 2004.
PRIOR STARTS FOR CUBS: Mark Prior makes his first start of the season today when Chicago hosts San Diego. He was on the disabled list with elbow inflammation and made one minor-league rehabilitation start.
YANKEES' PAVANO OKAY: A day after he was hit on the head by a line drive, New York pitcher Carl Pavano said he should be able to make his next scheduled start. Pavano was hit by Melvin Mora 's line drive Sunday during New York's 7-2 loss to Baltimore and sustained a mild concussion.
