MIAMI – Gene Orza, associate general counsel for the Players’ Association, said that if the government decides THG (a kind of anabolic steroid) is a “regulate-able drug,” the union would not fight its being added to MLB drug testing next year.
“If the substance were to become regulated by the government and become a Schedule 3 substance, it would in fact automatically be added to the list of substances that we’re testing for, because that’s what the agreement provides,” Orza said.
Because of that, Orza said, the union wouldn’t protest.
“No problem,” he said. “Our position has been fairly constant with, if the government says you shouldn’t do it and it’s illegal, then you shouldn’t do it because it’s illegal. If the government doesn’t say you shouldn’t do it and it’s not illegal, then you’re free to do it.”
Orza said he did not know many of the details about the current investigation into BALCO, though he said, “We’re not terribly concerned about it.”
Stars Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds have been subpoenaed in the case.
Orza also said, “[THG] is something that’s been created by someone or some institution, which is a legal substance until regulated by the government. In other words, it’s a step ahead of the regulations.”