MLB policy still being drafted
NEW YORK (AP) – Baseball’s new steroid testing policy won’t be ready when spring training starts Tuesday because the agreement is still being drafted by lawyers for owners and players. When the sides announced the agreement Jan. 13, they said they hoped it would be in place by the time players reported to camps.
Rob Manfred, executive vice president for labor relations in the commissioner’s office, said Monday the agreement was nearly completed and believed it would be ready by the mandatory reporting date, March 1.
Under the new agreement, players who test positive will be suspended for 10 days. Under the old policy, first-time offenders were sent for counseling and their names were not revealed publicly. The new deal will include more frequent testing, including during the offseason.