Suspensions to Come if Laws Broken

Major League Baseball officials are set to make more suspensions, for an unknown amount of time at this point. MLB players, such as Gary Matthews Jr., Paul Byrd, and Rich Ankiel face possible suspensions if the attained the used substances through breaking the law. According to ESPN, suspensions aren’t ruled out yet. “Citing a high ranking major league official, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that Major League Baseball’s commissioner hasn’t ruled out such discipline for players even if they did not violate baseball’s policy. Major League Baseball did not ban HGH (Human Growth Hormone) until January 2005, but steroids and HGH have been, and still are, illegal without a prescription.” It has been reported by Sports Illustrated.com that Matthews (Center Fielder for the Los Angeles Angels) made an order for HGH in 2004. “Matthews is expected to be called to Selig’s [League Commissioner Bud Selig] office in November to discuss the report,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Paul Byrd, starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, is the latest player to have used, or at least accused of using, HGH. “On Sunday [October 21], the day of game 7 of the ALCS [American League Championship Series], the San Francisco Chronicle reported the Indians right-hander had purchased nearly $25,000 worth of HGH and syringes between 2002 and 2005. According to Byrd, a doctor prescribed him the drug for what he called a pituitary gland issue. It was researched and was found that it wouldn’t be out of the question that he was telling the truth. Byrd said that both the Indians management and Major League officials both knew of his use of the drug, although both deny all knowledge of it.