cacophony gemology: Major League Baseball to test for HGH

Friday, January 11, 2013

Major League Baseball to test for HGH

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association said Thursday they will add random in-season blood testing for human growth hormone to the game's anti-doping programme.

The prior joint drug prevention and treatment programme allowed for each player to be subject to an unannounced blood test during spring training and an unannounced, random test in the offseason.

Major League Baseball, which has been randomly testing its minor league players for HGH since July 2010, will become the only major North American sport to blood test unionized players.

"The players are determined to do all they can to continually improve the sport's joint drug agreement," MLBPA executive director Michael Weiner said.

"Players want a programme that is tough, scientifically accurate, backed by the latest proven scientific methods, and fair. I believe these changes firmly support the players' desires while protecting their legal rights."

Records will also be kept on T/E (testosterone to epitestosterone) ratios of players to prevent the unauthorized use of synthetic testosterone.

"This agreement addresses critical drug issues and symbolizes Major League Baseball's continued vigilance against synthetic human growth hormone, testosterone and other performance-enhancing substances," MLB commissioner Bud Selig said.

"I am proud that our system allows us to adapt to the many evolving issues associated with the science and technology of drug testing."

The announcement comes a day after slugger Barry Bonds and pitcher Roger Clemens, who starred during the game's so-called "steroid era", were both shut out in voting for the Hall of Fame as for the first time since 1996 electors declined to name anyone to be inducted this year.