Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Minnesota Twins RHP Juan Rincon , who emerged last season as one of baseball's top setup men, became the highest-profile violator of MLB's new policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Rincon was suspended yesterday for 10 days after testing positive for an undisclosed substance. He is the fifth player to be suspended this season.
Michael Weiner , general counsel of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said a grievance would be filed today. But unlike other penalties, such as for fighting, 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, who is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 appearances this season.
Meantime, the players' union told Commissioner Bud Selig that it was willing to talk to him about his call for harsher steroid penalties.
"We will look forward to discussing the points you raised, and other appropriate matters," union head Donald Fehr said 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 wants a 50-game suspension for first-time steroid offenders, a 100-game ban for a second offense and a lifetime suspension for a third violation.
Rincon, 26, didn't immediately return a message left on his cell phone. Minnesota was off yesterday, but the team said he would make a brief statement to the media at the Metrodome before tonight's game against Cleveland.
Last October, a dejected Rincon lamented giving up a four-run lead in a season-ending playoff loss to the New York Yankees. Yesterday, he had a similar feeling.
"He feels like he's let the team down," Manager Ron Gardenhire said .
According to Setlik and Gardenhire, Rincon is allowed to work out with the team but must leave the stadium once games begin. He'll miss nine of them, with eligibility restored May 13 against Texas.
-- From News Services