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 ESPN.com reported Wednesday that the union is negotiating with Major League Baseball on a possible 10- to 15-day suspension for outfielder Jose Guillen. The San Francisco Chronicle reported last month that Guillen ordered more than $19,000 worth of drugs
-- three kinds of human growth hormone, two types of testosterone and the steroids stanozolol and nandrolone
-- from the Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center between May 2002 and June 2005.
Baseball banned HGH in January 2005. The penalty for a first offense that year was a 10-day suspension.
"I interviewed Mr. Guillen. I've had an ongoing dialogue with the Major League Baseball Players Association regarding the relevant facts and circumstances," said Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president of labor relations. "We do not, however, negotiate discipline. The commissioner will determine what discipline, if any, is appropriate when I conclude my investigation."
Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel, declined comment.
Guillen, a power-hitting outfielder, was with the Seattle Mariners last season. He became a free agent and this week reached a preliminary agreement on a $36 million, three-year contract with the Kansas City Royals.
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Several others have been accused in media reports of buying HGH, among them Los Angeles Angels outfielder Gary Matthews, Cleveland pitcher Paul Byrd, St. Louis outfielder Rick Ankiel and free-agent infielder Jerry Hairston Jr.
George Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball is to be released this month, and it is possible many players could be named in his report based on evidence collected by the Albany, N.Y., district attorney and the U.S. Attorney's office, which reached a plea agreement with former New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski.
"You're curious about what's there. You're curious about the accuracy. You're curious about how it's going to have an effect on the game, how it possibly might have an effect of your team," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. "I'm not real worried about it."
If commissioner Bud Selig imposes a penalty greater than the one called for at the time of the offense and the players' association files a grievance, discipline could be overturned or reduced.
[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
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