Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd met with baseball officials to discuss his use of human growth hormone. It's uncertain whether Byrd will face any discipline from the commissioner's office or when a potential punishment might be handed down.
Among those at the meeting were Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations, and Michael Weiner, general counsel for the players' association.
Before Game 7 of the AL championship series in Boston, Byrd acknowledged taking HGH after the San Francisco Chronicle reported he spent nearly $25,000 on the banned drug and syringes from 2002-05.
His name was included last week in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
Roger Clemens might not be welcome as a speaker at a convention of Texas high school baseball coaches. The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association is having second thoughts about inviting Clemens to its annual session next month after allegations in the Mitchell Report that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner used steroids. Jim Long, president of the association, said his group plans to hold an executive meeting today to decide if Clemens will remain as one of the presenters in Waco. It is the country's largest high school baseball coaches association, Long said.
Also, Mariano Rivera and New York made it official, finalizing a $45 million, three-year contract that will keep the ace closer in pinstripes. Rivera, 38, became a free agent after the season.
Washington broke its silence on the Mitchell Report -- without offering many details. "I know you want me to say something about Paul Lo Duca or Nook Logan," team president Stan Kasten said at a news conference to discuss the report that detailed allegations of performance-enhancing drug use in baseball. "I really can't. There are legal issues, there are baseball issues involved."
A few days after admitting he used human growth hormone, backup catcher Gary Bennett signed a free-agent contract with Los Angeles. Bennett, 35, played 59 games for St. Louis last season, batting .252 with two home runs and 17 RBIs.
Former major-league infielder Fernando Vina admitted using human growth hormone in 2003 as he attempted to heal from injuries. Vina, now an ESPN baseball analyst, was named last week in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs. The report said he also purchased steroids from ex-New York Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, but Vina denied those claims.
First Published: December 18, 2007, 5:45 a.m.
