Rays/MLB

Big Mac shuns Mitchell's steroid probe

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 5, 2006

NEW YORK - After telling Congress last year that he wanted to help rid the world of steroids, former St. Louis and Oakland slugger Mark McGwire is refusing to cooperate with baseball's Mitchell investigation.

McGwire has refused to meet with former Sen. George Mitchell and his team of investigators, the New York Daily News reported Friday.

There is little Mitchell and his team can do about it. Unlike the federal prosecutors who recently investigated tax evasion and perjury allegations against Barry Bonds, Mitchell can neither issue a subpoena that would compel McGwire to talk nor threaten him with prison time.

DIAMONDBACKS: Arizona right-hander Brandon Webb will miss his scheduled start today with an inflamed elbow. The Diamondbacks said they did not expect to put their ace on the disabled list. Webb reported soreness in the elbow Monday night. An MRI exam showed no structural damage.

METS: New York placed catcher Ramon Castro on the disabled list because of a strained side muscle. Catcher Mike DiFelice was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Castro hurt himself during batting practice last weekend. He was hitting .239 in 37 games backing up Paul Lo Duca.

PADRES: Chan Ho Park was back at the ballpark, playing catch, picking up an award and saying he felt "100 percent better" after receiving transfusions to treat internal bleeding that put him on the disabled list.

[Last modified August 5, 2006, 06:04:07]