Published: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
MLB Notebook: Beltran talks to feds about Canadian doctor
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran talked to federal investigators last week about a Canadian doctor accused of selling an unapproved drug and said he recommended the physician to teammate Jose Reyes.
Beltran went to Toronto last summer seeking Dr. Anthony Galea’s opinion on his bruised right knee, the All-Star said Tuesday. He worked with Galea for a month and felt better following a rehab program, but his knee regressed when he went home to Puerto Rico.
“I have nothing to worry (about), nothing to hide,” Beltran said. “I just went there for an opinion for my knee.”
Galea is facing four charges in Canada related to the drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calf’s blood and used for healing. His assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having HGH and another drug while crossing the border in September.
Investigators talked to Reyes last week. New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said Monday that he had been contacted about the probe.
Galea is known for using a blood-spinning technique — platelet-rich plasma therapy — designed to speed recovery from injuries. Among the athletes he has treated are golfer Tiger Woods, swimmer Dara Torres and several NFL players.
The New York Times reported on its Web site Tuesday that authorities wanted to speak with Beltran and former Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado because another athlete said he was referred to Galea by the stars.
Beltran confirmed he recommended Galea to Reyes.
“When I was out, Reyes was one of the guys that was out also,” he said, adding he told his teammate, “Reyes, give it a try. He helped with other athletes.”
“So Reyes at the same time put his agent in contact with the doctor and they were in contact with the team,” he said.
It was not known whether authorities had talked to Delgado, a free agent. David Sloane, Delgado’s agent, declined comment when reached by The Associated Press.
Beltran, who was sidelined for 2½ months last season with a painful bone bruise on his knee, said he heard about Galea from friends and he did not undergo the platelet-rich plasma therapy.
Beltran was accompanied by an attorney when he talked to investigators, who asked if Galea injected him with HGH.
“Of course, not,” Beltran said at New York’s spring facility.
Beltran got into a squabble with the Mets in January when he had his knee surgically repaired in Colorado. The club said he didn’t have its consent for the operation while Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, said it was approved and contended the Mets asked for a delay only after surgery had started.
Beltran said Galea worked with team doctors when he treated him.
Reyes confirmed Sunday that he had met with investigators. The shortstop, who missed much of last year with an injured right leg, said he didn’t do anything wrong, and he just told the investigators on Thursday about the treatment he received from Galea last year.
Rodriguez said Monday he was “aware” of the investigation and plans to cooperate with the government. He declined comment when asked if he has been treated by Galea.
Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre near Toronto. He is charged with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.
His lawyer, Brian H. Greenspan, has said his client denies any wrongdoing. Greenspan also has said Galea has used HGH himself and prescribed it to non-athlete patients over the age of 40 to improve their quality of life, but said he has never given it to athletes.
The investigation into Galea began when his assistant, who often drove for the doctor, was stopped attempting to enter the United States from Canada.
Vials and ampules containing human growth hormone and Actovegin were found in a car driven by Mary Anne Catalano, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and U.S. federal court documents.
A person familiar with the Galea investigation told the AP it was being led by Department of Homeland Security, FBI and Food and Drug Administration agents out of Buffalo, N.Y., where Catalano was arrested Sept. 14, and that a grand jury could begin hearing testimony there within weeks.
Arizona nears deal with Upton
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks and young All-Star outfielder Justin Upton are closing in on a six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The deal would be worth just over $50 million, the person said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.
The 22-year-old Upton made his first All-Star game last season, when he hit .300 with 26 homers and 86 RBIs.
The Diamondbacks made Upton the No. 1 pick overall in the 2005 amateur draft. His older brother B.J. was the second pick overall in 2002.
The deal would mark a significant achievement as the cost-conscious Diamondbacks try to sign the young core of their team for years to come. The team also is in talks with young slugger Mark Reynolds.
Upton made it to the majors a month shy of his 20th birthday and appeared in six playoff games that season.
His OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .836 through two full seasons ranks with those of Mel Ott, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. at the same age.
He had a 19-game hitting streak last season and had six RBIs in a game at Florida, including two home runs. He hit .377 against left-handers last year.
A shortstop in high school, Upton was shifted to the outfield. Defensively, he still struggles at time gauging fly balls, including a crucial one in last season’s All-Star game, but he has one of the stronger arms in baseball. He had six outfield assists in 2008 and four last year.
BC-BBA--Royals-Hochevar, 2nd Ld-Writethru,0319 Hochevar agrees to $1.76 million deal with Royals
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Luke Hochevar, the overall No. 1 draft pick of the 2006 amateur draft, agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals that will pay him $1.76 million in the major leagues.
The deal includes a salary of $772,500 if Hochevar is in the minors, but he is out of options. He was coming off a $5.3 million, four-year contract that included a $3.5 million signing bonus. The $1.76 million salary represents the maximum 20 percent cut from his 2009 major league salary ($1,325,000) plus $875,000, which represents a prorated share of the $3.5 million signing bonus in his previous deal.
Hochevar was 7-13 in 25 starts for Kansas City last year with an ERA of 6.55. The 26-year-old right-hander did have a few encouraging bright spots, including an 80-pitch, complete-game victory over Cincinnati.
Kansas City also agreed to a one-year contract with right-hander Carlos Rosa. The 25-year-old made seven relief appearances in September for Kansas City and had a 3.38 ERA. He was also 2-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 43 relief appearances for Triple-A Omaha.
First baseman Billy Butler and second baseman Alberto Callaspo are the only players left unsigned in camp.
Street has shoulder inflammation
TUCSON, Ariz. — Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street is experiencing inflammation in his right shoulder, a condition he calls normal for this point in spring training and one he said is improving.
Street, who converted 35 of 37 save opportunities last season, has thrown four times in spring training, three bullpen sessions and 10 minutes of live batting practice Friday.
“Coming off the mound, I felt normal,” said Street, referring to Friday. “When we came in the next day, it was pretty stiff.”
Street rested for two days. He said he began taking anti-inflammatory medication Monday and played catch. He played catch again from 90 feet on Tuesday.
“It definitely feels a little bit better,” Street said. “There’s still some inflammation we’re trying to work out.”
Keith Dugger said the inflammation felt by Street is “pretty normal” when pitchers “up the intensity a little bit” while going from bullpen sessions to batting practice.
“I would put last year’s flare-up in September significantly more serious than what we’re dealing with now,” Street said. “And we came back in three weeks after that. We don’t really have a timetable. But I want to be in games sometime soon.”
After Street made an appearance Sept. 1 last season, he was sidelined with shoulder inflammation and didn’t pitch again until Sept. 22.
Street experienced groin stiffness in spring training last year and said it led to “some arm issues” not only later in camp but the early part of the regular season, as well.
In other injury news, pitcher Greg Reynolds has a bone chip above his right elbow, the result of getting hit with a line drive Monday. It is not something that will require surgery, Dugger said, because the chip is not in the elbow joint, and he’ll be able to pitch once the soreness and swelling subside in his elbow. In addition to X-rays, Reynolds underwent an MRI exam Tuesday. The Rockies are awaiting the results.
Reliever Rafael Betancourt, who didn’t feel he was ready to pitch in a Cactus League game Thursday as scheduled, threw batting practice Tuesday and said he’d be “able to pitch a little harder” than he could four days earlier.
Betancourt, a set-up man who pitches the eighth inning and paves the way to Street, said he will again throw batting practice Friday, and on Monday will either pitch in an exhibition game or throw more batting practice.
Betancourt contracted a virus that prevented him from working out from Dec. 27 until Jan. 19 when he came to Denver to take a physical before signing a two-year, $7.55 million contract. That layoff put Betancourt behind when he came to spring training and after throwing batting practice Friday for the first time, Betancourt was wary of pitching in an exhibition game so soon.
Right fielder Brad Hawpe took swings in batting practice for the first time this spring. He is over an infection that developed in his left big toe when an ingrown nail was removed.
However, Hawpe isn’t expected to begin playing in games until the beginning of next week, since he has done outfield drills and light running but has not sprinted.
Beltran went to Toronto last summer seeking Dr. Anthony Galea’s opinion on his bruised right knee, the All-Star said Tuesday. He worked with Galea for a month and felt better following a rehab program, but his knee regressed when he went home to Puerto Rico.
“I have nothing to worry (about), nothing to hide,” Beltran said. “I just went there for an opinion for my knee.”
Galea is facing four charges in Canada related to the drug known as Actovegin, which is extracted from calf’s blood and used for healing. His assistant also has been charged in the U.S. for having HGH and another drug while crossing the border in September.
Investigators talked to Reyes last week. New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said Monday that he had been contacted about the probe.
Galea is known for using a blood-spinning technique — platelet-rich plasma therapy — designed to speed recovery from injuries. Among the athletes he has treated are golfer Tiger Woods, swimmer Dara Torres and several NFL players.
The New York Times reported on its Web site Tuesday that authorities wanted to speak with Beltran and former Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado because another athlete said he was referred to Galea by the stars.
Beltran confirmed he recommended Galea to Reyes.
“When I was out, Reyes was one of the guys that was out also,” he said, adding he told his teammate, “Reyes, give it a try. He helped with other athletes.”
“So Reyes at the same time put his agent in contact with the doctor and they were in contact with the team,” he said.
It was not known whether authorities had talked to Delgado, a free agent. David Sloane, Delgado’s agent, declined comment when reached by The Associated Press.
Beltran, who was sidelined for 2½ months last season with a painful bone bruise on his knee, said he heard about Galea from friends and he did not undergo the platelet-rich plasma therapy.
Beltran was accompanied by an attorney when he talked to investigators, who asked if Galea injected him with HGH.
“Of course, not,” Beltran said at New York’s spring facility.
Beltran got into a squabble with the Mets in January when he had his knee surgically repaired in Colorado. The club said he didn’t have its consent for the operation while Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, said it was approved and contended the Mets asked for a delay only after surgery had started.
Beltran said Galea worked with team doctors when he treated him.
Reyes confirmed Sunday that he had met with investigators. The shortstop, who missed much of last year with an injured right leg, said he didn’t do anything wrong, and he just told the investigators on Thursday about the treatment he received from Galea last year.
Rodriguez said Monday he was “aware” of the investigation and plans to cooperate with the government. He declined comment when asked if he has been treated by Galea.
Galea was arrested Oct. 15 after a search warrant was executed at the Institute of Sports Medicine Health and Wellness Centre near Toronto. He is charged with selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.
His lawyer, Brian H. Greenspan, has said his client denies any wrongdoing. Greenspan also has said Galea has used HGH himself and prescribed it to non-athlete patients over the age of 40 to improve their quality of life, but said he has never given it to athletes.
The investigation into Galea began when his assistant, who often drove for the doctor, was stopped attempting to enter the United States from Canada.
Vials and ampules containing human growth hormone and Actovegin were found in a car driven by Mary Anne Catalano, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and U.S. federal court documents.
A person familiar with the Galea investigation told the AP it was being led by Department of Homeland Security, FBI and Food and Drug Administration agents out of Buffalo, N.Y., where Catalano was arrested Sept. 14, and that a grand jury could begin hearing testimony there within weeks.
Arizona nears deal with Upton
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks and young All-Star outfielder Justin Upton are closing in on a six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The deal would be worth just over $50 million, the person said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.
The 22-year-old Upton made his first All-Star game last season, when he hit .300 with 26 homers and 86 RBIs.
The Diamondbacks made Upton the No. 1 pick overall in the 2005 amateur draft. His older brother B.J. was the second pick overall in 2002.
The deal would mark a significant achievement as the cost-conscious Diamondbacks try to sign the young core of their team for years to come. The team also is in talks with young slugger Mark Reynolds.
Upton made it to the majors a month shy of his 20th birthday and appeared in six playoff games that season.
His OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .836 through two full seasons ranks with those of Mel Ott, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. at the same age.
He had a 19-game hitting streak last season and had six RBIs in a game at Florida, including two home runs. He hit .377 against left-handers last year.
A shortstop in high school, Upton was shifted to the outfield. Defensively, he still struggles at time gauging fly balls, including a crucial one in last season’s All-Star game, but he has one of the stronger arms in baseball. He had six outfield assists in 2008 and four last year.
BC-BBA--Royals-Hochevar, 2nd Ld-Writethru,0319 Hochevar agrees to $1.76 million deal with Royals
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Luke Hochevar, the overall No. 1 draft pick of the 2006 amateur draft, agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals that will pay him $1.76 million in the major leagues.
The deal includes a salary of $772,500 if Hochevar is in the minors, but he is out of options. He was coming off a $5.3 million, four-year contract that included a $3.5 million signing bonus. The $1.76 million salary represents the maximum 20 percent cut from his 2009 major league salary ($1,325,000) plus $875,000, which represents a prorated share of the $3.5 million signing bonus in his previous deal.
Hochevar was 7-13 in 25 starts for Kansas City last year with an ERA of 6.55. The 26-year-old right-hander did have a few encouraging bright spots, including an 80-pitch, complete-game victory over Cincinnati.
Kansas City also agreed to a one-year contract with right-hander Carlos Rosa. The 25-year-old made seven relief appearances in September for Kansas City and had a 3.38 ERA. He was also 2-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 43 relief appearances for Triple-A Omaha.
First baseman Billy Butler and second baseman Alberto Callaspo are the only players left unsigned in camp.
Street has shoulder inflammation
TUCSON, Ariz. — Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street is experiencing inflammation in his right shoulder, a condition he calls normal for this point in spring training and one he said is improving.
Street, who converted 35 of 37 save opportunities last season, has thrown four times in spring training, three bullpen sessions and 10 minutes of live batting practice Friday.
“Coming off the mound, I felt normal,” said Street, referring to Friday. “When we came in the next day, it was pretty stiff.”
Street rested for two days. He said he began taking anti-inflammatory medication Monday and played catch. He played catch again from 90 feet on Tuesday.
“It definitely feels a little bit better,” Street said. “There’s still some inflammation we’re trying to work out.”
Keith Dugger said the inflammation felt by Street is “pretty normal” when pitchers “up the intensity a little bit” while going from bullpen sessions to batting practice.
“I would put last year’s flare-up in September significantly more serious than what we’re dealing with now,” Street said. “And we came back in three weeks after that. We don’t really have a timetable. But I want to be in games sometime soon.”
After Street made an appearance Sept. 1 last season, he was sidelined with shoulder inflammation and didn’t pitch again until Sept. 22.
Street experienced groin stiffness in spring training last year and said it led to “some arm issues” not only later in camp but the early part of the regular season, as well.
In other injury news, pitcher Greg Reynolds has a bone chip above his right elbow, the result of getting hit with a line drive Monday. It is not something that will require surgery, Dugger said, because the chip is not in the elbow joint, and he’ll be able to pitch once the soreness and swelling subside in his elbow. In addition to X-rays, Reynolds underwent an MRI exam Tuesday. The Rockies are awaiting the results.
Reliever Rafael Betancourt, who didn’t feel he was ready to pitch in a Cactus League game Thursday as scheduled, threw batting practice Tuesday and said he’d be “able to pitch a little harder” than he could four days earlier.
Betancourt, a set-up man who pitches the eighth inning and paves the way to Street, said he will again throw batting practice Friday, and on Monday will either pitch in an exhibition game or throw more batting practice.
Betancourt contracted a virus that prevented him from working out from Dec. 27 until Jan. 19 when he came to Denver to take a physical before signing a two-year, $7.55 million contract. That layoff put Betancourt behind when he came to spring training and after throwing batting practice Friday for the first time, Betancourt was wary of pitching in an exhibition game so soon.
Right fielder Brad Hawpe took swings in batting practice for the first time this spring. He is over an infection that developed in his left big toe when an ingrown nail was removed.
However, Hawpe isn’t expected to begin playing in games until the beginning of next week, since he has done outfield drills and light running but has not sprinted.
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