Leak of Palmeiro's drug test upsets union

By wire services
Published August 7, 2005

NEW YORK - The union says Major League Baseball might be responsible for leaking the name of the drug for which the Orioles' Rafael Palmeiro tested positive and might file a grievance, the Daily News reported Saturday.

The union will discuss the issue with the commissioner's office Monday, said Gene Orza, chief operating officer of the union. MLB said it was unaware of a possible grievance.

MLB has not specified what drug the test found, but several news outlets have reported it was stanozolol. Union spokesman Greg Bouris called the leak a "very disturbing matter," but did not comment further in an e-mail to the Associated Press.

The collective-bargaining agreement allows only for the release of the name of the player and dates of his suspension.

SAN FRANCISCO - Giants manager Felipe Alou called a one-week suspension given to a radio host for racial remarks "a slap on the hand" and said he wouldn't accept an apology.

After Wednesday's game, Larry Krueger criticized the team, saying it had "brain-dead Caribbean hitters hacking at slop nightly" and "you have a manager in Felipe whose mind has turned to Cream of Wheat."

"There's no way to apologize for such a sin. All of these people have been offended by this idiot," Alou said. "I can't speak for hundreds of millions of people."

Also, Giants outfielder Moises Alou missed his fourth game because of a tight right hamstring. He remains day to day.

ASTROS: First baseman Jeff Bagwell, who had right shoulder surgery June7, hit live pitching for the third consecutive day. He could return as a pinch-hitter in September after originally thought to be out for the season.

BRAVES: Third baseman Chipper Jones missed his fourth game with a strained rotator cuff. He remains day to day.

MARLINS: First baseman Carlos Delgado went on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left elbow and hand. Delgado, who took batting practice Friday, said his elbow was improving but not his hand. Right-hander Randy Messenger was called up for the third time this season. He is 0-0 with a 5.11 ERA in 11 appearances. Also, catcher Paul Lo Duca left in the second after tweaking a hamstring running the bases. His status is unknown.

PHILLIES: First baseman Jim Thome, out since July1 with right elbow tendinitis, was the designated hitter for Class A Clearwater. His return remains unknown.

RANGERS: Right-hander Aaron Sele, released last week by Seattle, signed a minor-league deal. Sele, 35, 6-12 with a 5.66 ERA, will pitch at Triple A this week. Also, outfielder Richard Hidalgo went on the 15-day DL with a strained left wrist hurt while sliding. Former Florida State infielder Marshall McDougall was called up.

ROYALS: Mike Sweeney played first base for the first time since June15, when he hurt his left wrist. He had been a DH since coming off the DL on July1.

YANKEES: Hideo Nomo allowed two runs and six hits in six innings in his second start at Triple A. Nomo failed to make it out of the third in his first start.

[Last modified August 7, 2005, 01:31:12]