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http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=knight-aerosplayertestspositive&prov=knight&type=lgns
Aeros player tests positive
By Stephanie Storm, Beacon Journal staff writer
Aeros second baseman Eider Torres says he had no idea a $10 supplement he took in the off-season contained an illegal substance.
The Indians, Torres' Double-A coaches and teammates, as well as his family, all say they believe him.
Regardless, Torres became the first player in the Tribe system to test positive for a banned substance and was suspended for 15 games without pay Friday.
Torres, tested March 24 in spring training, was one of nine players suspended for violating the Minor League Drug Testing program from teams with Florida-based spring training camps.
Another Indians minor-leaguer at Triple-A Buffalo -- whom sources close to the team confirmed is outfielder Darnell McDonald -- also tested positive. He elected to appeal his suspension -- a process that is expected to take about 10 days.
Upon news of the positive tests, Indians general manager Mark Shapiro reiterated the team's stance on major-league baseball's new policy.
"The Cleveland Indians have implemented a comprehensive educational and nutritional program for the entire organization, specifically targeting the long-term effects and ramifications of using performance-enhancing drugs," he said in a statement. "We will continue our efforts diligently through programs within the Instructional League, Winter Development Program, Spring Training and throughout the baseball season."
With the help of teammate Javier Herrera serving as an interpreter, Torres admitted he was aware of baseball's new rules aimed at curbing steroid abuse.
Still, he said he did not check the contents of the "vitamin-type supplements" he bought from a buddy while working out at a gym in his native Venezuela.
"I didn't think anything of it," Torres said. "And there was no hesitation (to take the test) because I felt I was clean."
Torres said he took the supplement for just two weeks and was shocked when he learned of the positive result Wednesday via a phone call from Indians farm director John Farrell.
After playing in Thursday night's game, he addressed his teammates privately in the locker room, apologizing for his "mental error."
"I speak for the team when I say that we don't believe he did anything wrong," said Herrera, an Aeros catcher. "He just wasn't aware of what he was putting in his body."
Torres, 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, was ranked by Baseball America as the Tribe's 30th-best prospect after compiling 48 stolen bases last season at Class-A Kinston.
The switch-hitter is a career .303 batter in five minor-league seasons, and was batting .273 in 14 games for the Aeros this season.
"In his efforts to become a major-leaguer, he took something he thought might give him an edge or advantage," Farrell said, stressing the word "banned substance" and not referring to the substance as "steroids."
First-year Aeros manager Torey Lovullo, who has coached Torres for the past three seasons, was firm in his belief that Torres simply made a mistake.
"There is such a black eye associated with steroids, people are going to jump to conclusions about him," Lovullo said. "But over time, they will see what kind of man he is and not judge him for making a mistake.
"I told Eider, `I love you like a son, and we're gonna get through this together,' " Lovullo said.
Under the suspension, Torres is allowed to continue working out with the Aeros but is not permitted to suit up or play. In his absence, veteran utility infielder Jose Morban will earn a bulk of Torres' leadoff and second-base duties.
"I feel sorry for Eider," said Aeros outfielder Franklin Gutierrez. "He didn't know what he was doing, and he made a mistake. But we support him as a team because it could have been any one of us. He's going to learn from this, and so are we."
Game postponed
The Aeros' game against Altoona on Friday was postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader at 6:05 p.m. Aug. 16.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at 330-996-3814 or sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com
Aeros player tests positive
By Stephanie Storm, Beacon Journal staff writer
Aeros second baseman Eider Torres says he had no idea a $10 supplement he took in the off-season contained an illegal substance.
The Indians, Torres' Double-A coaches and teammates, as well as his family, all say they believe him.
Regardless, Torres became the first player in the Tribe system to test positive for a banned substance and was suspended for 15 games without pay Friday.
Torres, tested March 24 in spring training, was one of nine players suspended for violating the Minor League Drug Testing program from teams with Florida-based spring training camps.
Another Indians minor-leaguer at Triple-A Buffalo -- whom sources close to the team confirmed is outfielder Darnell McDonald -- also tested positive. He elected to appeal his suspension -- a process that is expected to take about 10 days.
Upon news of the positive tests, Indians general manager Mark Shapiro reiterated the team's stance on major-league baseball's new policy.
"The Cleveland Indians have implemented a comprehensive educational and nutritional program for the entire organization, specifically targeting the long-term effects and ramifications of using performance-enhancing drugs," he said in a statement. "We will continue our efforts diligently through programs within the Instructional League, Winter Development Program, Spring Training and throughout the baseball season."
With the help of teammate Javier Herrera serving as an interpreter, Torres admitted he was aware of baseball's new rules aimed at curbing steroid abuse.
Still, he said he did not check the contents of the "vitamin-type supplements" he bought from a buddy while working out at a gym in his native Venezuela.
"I didn't think anything of it," Torres said. "And there was no hesitation (to take the test) because I felt I was clean."
Torres said he took the supplement for just two weeks and was shocked when he learned of the positive result Wednesday via a phone call from Indians farm director John Farrell.
After playing in Thursday night's game, he addressed his teammates privately in the locker room, apologizing for his "mental error."
"I speak for the team when I say that we don't believe he did anything wrong," said Herrera, an Aeros catcher. "He just wasn't aware of what he was putting in his body."
Torres, 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, was ranked by Baseball America as the Tribe's 30th-best prospect after compiling 48 stolen bases last season at Class-A Kinston.
The switch-hitter is a career .303 batter in five minor-league seasons, and was batting .273 in 14 games for the Aeros this season.
"In his efforts to become a major-leaguer, he took something he thought might give him an edge or advantage," Farrell said, stressing the word "banned substance" and not referring to the substance as "steroids."
First-year Aeros manager Torey Lovullo, who has coached Torres for the past three seasons, was firm in his belief that Torres simply made a mistake.
"There is such a black eye associated with steroids, people are going to jump to conclusions about him," Lovullo said. "But over time, they will see what kind of man he is and not judge him for making a mistake.
"I told Eider, `I love you like a son, and we're gonna get through this together,' " Lovullo said.
Under the suspension, Torres is allowed to continue working out with the Aeros but is not permitted to suit up or play. In his absence, veteran utility infielder Jose Morban will earn a bulk of Torres' leadoff and second-base duties.
"I feel sorry for Eider," said Aeros outfielder Franklin Gutierrez. "He didn't know what he was doing, and he made a mistake. But we support him as a team because it could have been any one of us. He's going to learn from this, and so are we."
Game postponed
The Aeros' game against Altoona on Friday was postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader at 6:05 p.m. Aug. 16.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at 330-996-3814 or sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com