Washington, D.C. – While former senator George Mitchell digs into the sport’s dirty past, Washington Nationals shortstop Royce Clayton predicted players would agree to blood testing in the future collective bargaining agreement because of the mushrooming HGH crisis.
This would be a remarkable step for baseball, given that NFL and NBA officials already have said they would reject such a measure, leaving baseball as an unlikely torchbearer in the anti-drug movement, and it would buck the union’s vehement opposition to blood testing.
“This whole Jason Grimsley episode doesn’t just affect him, it affects everybody,” Clayton said Monday. “We had things going in the right direction. We have bargaining coming up (this winter) and it’s something we want to eradicate from our game. I don’t think there will be any problem with it, that if there needs to be blood tests for HGH or anything in that same vein, we will be open to it.”
Grimsley, released last week after federal agents’ interception of two HGH kits was made public, remained a clubhouse topic Monday after he was suspended for 50 games for violating the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program. Rockies player representative Ray King spoke with his teammates about Grimsley’s situation, reminding them the union would test any supplement.
When asked if blood testing, an evasive procedure tied to civil liberty issues, was inevitable, King pointed out that there is no reliable blood or urine test for HGH. He agreed with Clayton in general terms.
“We have to sit down, figure out exactly what’s going on and decide what we need to do to rid the game of cheaters,” King said.
Added Clayton: “I wouldn’t say there are more, but the number of people who would use HGH would be right there with anabolic steroids. For what we do, growth is probably a better solution, so why wouldn’t that be first and foremost among the things tested? It has to be.”
Visiting the troops
What started as a nice gesture a year ago has blossomed into a team function. Nineteen Rockies players and manager Clint Hurdle will visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center today, talking to injured soldiers who have returned from war. Last season, five players attended and others were quick to volunteer.
“These guys are making the ultimate sacrifice,” Todd Helton said. “We are getting paid a ridiculous amount of money to play a silly game. How can you not take two hours out of your day?”
Carroll gets nod
What the lineup said for weeks, Hurdle made official Monday, admitting he has “settled” on Jamey Carroll as his starting second baseman. Luis Gonzalez, whose stay on the disabled list ended Monday, will remain in Triple-A Colorado Springs and play a variety of positions to facilitate his return as a utility player.
Rockies recap
It’s easy to trace Cory Sullivan’s offensive awakening. When he hits to the left side of the infield, things begin to go right. Recently, GM Dan O’Dowd asked Sullivan when the last time was he hit the ball the opposite way. He couldn’t recall.
Sullivan has placed three hits to left field over the past two games and has gone 7-for-his-last-15.
“I get pitched inside a lot. I got away from my approach,” said Sullivan, who also made a diving catch in the sixth inning.
He’s attempting to secure his position in the lineup, with Jeff Salazar charging hard in Triple-A.
FIRST AND NOT LONG: Pitcher Greg Reynolds, the Rockies’ first-round draft choice, is expected to sign quickly since Stanford was eliminated from college baseball’s postseason tournament Sunday. Reynolds is expected to receive about a $3.2 million bonus.
FUENTES LIKES WORK: Pitching coach Bob Apodaca indicated that inactivity probably played a role in Brian Fuentes’ second blown save in his past 32 chances, explaining that he’s at his best when he works three or four times a week. Because Fuentes benefits from more work, the Rockies will continue using him in tie games. He posted his 14th save of the season Monday.
