Baseball

Union ready to discuss tougher penalties

By wire services
Published May 3, 2005

NEW YORK - The players' union told commissioner Bud Selig on Monday that it was willing to talk with him about his call for harsher penalties for performance-enhancing drugs.

"We will look forward to discussing the points you raised," union head Donald Fehr wrote in a letter to Selig.

Last week, Selig wrote to Fehr asking players to agree to tougher penalties than the ones that took effect at the start of the season. Selig now wants a 50-game suspension for first-time offenders, 100 games for a second and a lifetime suspension for a third.

Under current rules, the first offense draws a 10-day suspension. The penalties increase to 30 days for a second positive test, 60 for a third and one year for a fourth. The penalty for a fifth failure is at the commissioner's discretion.

Along with stiffening the penalties under his "three strikes and you are out" approach, Selig also wants the union to ban amphetamines, to increase random tests and to pick an independent person to handle the big-league drug-testing program.

The existing policy ensnared its fifth player Monday when Twins pitcher Juan Rincon , who emerged last season as one of baseball's top setup men, became the highest-profile violator. Rincon was suspended for 10 days after testing positive for an undisclosed substance.

Michael Weiner , general counsel of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said a grievance would be filed today. But unlike other penalties, suspensions under this policy take effect immediately and are not delayed pending a hearing.

"Suffice it to say, he was devastated and stunned by the result," Rincon's agent, Ed Setlik , said after speaking with Rincon, 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 appearances this season.

The team said Rincon would make a brief statement at the Metrodome before tonight's game against Cleveland.

Four lesser-known players previously received 10-day bans: Devil Rays outfielder Alex Sanchez , Rockies outfielder Jorge Piedra , Rangers minor-league pitcher Agustin Montero and Mariners minor-league outfielder Jamal Strong .

FAN IN SCUFFLE HEADS TO COURT: Christopher House , the Red Sox fan who scuffled with the Yankees' Gary Sheffield in the rightfield corner at Fenway Park on April14, is to appear in court in Boston on Thursday, his attorney, David Norton , said. A clerk magistrate at Boston Municipal Court will decide whether a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge is warranted.

ASTROS: Right-hander Roy Oswalt , who left his start Sunday with a strained right big toe, said he felt fine and didn't expect to miss his next start.

A'S: Rookie outfielder Nick Swisher went on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained joint in his right shoulder a day after he slammed into a wall.

CARDINALS: Third baseman Scott Rolen was out of the lineup with a sore upper back. Rolen had started all 23 games this season.

CUBS: Right-hander Kerry Wood will miss at least three weeks after an MRI exam showed he has a muscle strain in his pitching shoulder. After three weeks, team doctors will devise a strengthening program.

METS: Rightfielder Mike Cameron (left wrist) is scheduled to report to Triple-A Norfolk today to continue a rehabilitation assignment he started at Class A Port St. Lucie. He could join New York this weekend.

YANKEES: Former Rays right-hander Tanyon Sturtze , on the 15-day disabled list since April18 with a strained left oblique muscle, said he felt fine after a rehabilitation start for Class-A Tampa. He should be activated this week.

[Last modified May 3, 2005, 01:18:22]