BY SCOTT LAUBERNotes from a just-completed conference call with Ruben Amaro Jr. and assistant GM Scott Proefrock, regarding J.C. Romero's 50-game suspension handed down this morning by MLB:
--Amaro wouldn't discuss specifics of Romero's case but said repeatedly that the Phillies "staunchly support Major League Baseball's drug policy." He called the situation "unfortunate" and said "a mistake was made," but later, he refused to acknowledge which parties (Romero, the Phillies, the players' association, MLB) made the mistake.
--Amaro defended Dong Lien, the Phillies' strength and conditioning coach who reportedly told Romero to seek a second opinion before using the over-the-counter supplement that he purchased from GNC. "He comported himself in exactly the manner that he should have," Amaro said of Lien. "I'm completely supportive of what he did."
--Proefrock said Romero will be allowed to attend spring training and pitch in Grapefruit League games. Once the season starts, he can participate in extended spring games in Clearwater, and as the suspension nears its conclusion, he can go on a 16-day minor-league assignment. So, Romero is expected to be ready to pitch by Game No. 51, on June 1 against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
--It's still unclear whether Romero will be allowed to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Amaro said that's being discussed between MLB and the players' association.
--Amaro said the Phillies have interest in several free-agent relievers, lefties and right-handers. The Phillies aren't dead set on replacing Romero with a left-hander. In-house candidates for the spot include J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick and Drew Carpenter, although Happ and Kendrick will still be competing primarily for the No. 5 starter spot. The loser may get the spoils of a relief job, assuming he earns it.
--The Phillies were unaware that Romero attended arbitration hearings in Tampa Bay before Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, Amaro said. Proefrock said that isn't unusual. In most cases, players and trainers who are asked to testify in such cases are "sworn to secrecy." That is, they are told to keep details of the case confidential.
--MLB and the players' union meet with players from each team during spring training to go over which supplements are legal within baseball's drug policy. Proefrock said players are given an 800 number to call if they have questions and wallet cards with additional printed information. Romero, according to reports, asked Lien and two personal nutritionists if the supplement was OK. He also received a notice from the players' association that said all supplements purchased over the counter in U.S. retail stores were kosher. Three months after his positive test, on Nov. 21, the players' association sent out a statement alerting players that three supplements, including the one that Romero used, would cause a drug test to be positive.
More in a bit.
2 comments:
Amaro boots his first one.
"He refused to acknowledge which parties (Romero, the Phillies, the players' association, MLB) made the mistake."
Do not let him off the hook. Stay on him like a pit-bull, he should be supporting Romero, not being a stooge.
Find out if the Play Rep Jim Rollins? will work to help him, and will his teammates step up
behind him, with a STRIKE.
That's amazing that Romero escaped all forms of media attention in Tampa when the spotlight was shining so heavily on him and other key players.
I really think it's a shame that there is so much gray area in a MLB-sanctioned decision. Selig now has the player in question and the MLBPA against him on this issue. It makes me wish that an organization like this was run by more competent people.
Losing Romero for 50 games will undoubtedly be a blow to the bullpen, but with major players signing such minuscule contracts of late, is there any chance that Amaro could make a push for Beimel? I haven't heard his name come up in connection with any team in weeks. There are still a lot of fish out there. Bait the hook, Rube!
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