MLB: New and notes

Rocker claims he flunked test: John Rocker claims he flunked a drug test ordered by Major League Baseball in 2000 and that he, Alex Rodriguez and other Texas Rangers were advised by management and union doctors following a spring training lecture on how to effectively use steroids. “Bud Selig knew in the year 2000 John Rocker was taking the juice,” the former pitcher said Monday of the baseball commissioner on Atlanta radio station 680. “Didn’t do anything about it.” Rocker was suspended for the first 14 days of the 2000 season by Selig for making racial and ethnic remarks the commissioner deemed insensitive. The penalty, originally set to cover 28 days, was reduced by an arbitrator following a grievance. “As part of the disciplinary process, Mr. Rocker was referred to the confidential Employee Assistance Program,” Major League Baseball said in a statement. “Any test of Mr. Rocker would have been conducted by professionals who ran the EAP. Those professionals were obligated to maintain the confidentiality of the result and to use it in developing a treatment and education program for Mr. Rocker. Further discipline was not an option legally available to Major League Baseball at that time.” Rocker said that doctors from management and the players’ association, following a spring training talk with the Texas Rangers about steroids and other topics, pulled himself, A-Rod, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez aside. Rocker was with the Rangers in 2002. “Look guys, if you take one kind of steroid, you don’t triple stack them and take them 10 months out of the year like Lyle Alzado did,” Rocker said the doctors told them. “If you do it responsibly, it’s not going to hurt you.” Rocker did not identify the doctors. Baseball did not have a drug-testing agreement between management and the players’ union until September 2002 and did not have random testing with penalties until 2004. Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the players’ association, declined comment.

Rockies: Third baseman Garrett Atkins agreed to a one-year contract worth $4,387,500. Atkins batted .301 with 25 homers and 111 RBIs last season for the NL champions. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, he had asked for a raise from $400,000 to $4.65 million when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. Colorado offered $4,125,000. Atkins can earn $92,500 in performance bonuses: $17,500 each for 600, 625 and 650 plate appearances, and $20,000 each for 675 and 700 plate appearances.

Mets: Right-hander Tony Armas agreed to a minor league contract. Armas was 4-5 with a 6.03 ERA in 15 starts and 16 relief appearances last season with the Pirates, allowing 111 hits in 97 innings, striking out 73 and walking 38. The son of All-Star outfielder Tony Armas, he is 52-65 with a 4.62 ERA in nine major league seasons. If added to the 40-man roster, Armas would get a one-year contract paying $1 million while in the majors and $90,000 in the minors. He also could make $350,000 in performance bonuses if used as a reliever and $650,000 based on innings, starting with 130.

Padres: Shortstop Khalil Greene finalized an $11 million, two-year contract, allowing the sides to avoid an arbitration hearing. Greene will make $4.5 million this season and $6.5 million in 2009. Greene, who played in a career-best 153 games in 2007 after missing time in previous seasons due to injuries, can earn up to $500,000 more in 2009 based on 2008 plate appearances. He’ll make $125,000 each for 525, 550, 600 and 625 plate appearances. Greene was the Padres’ 2007 MVP after hitting .254 and setting career highs with 27 homers, 44 doubles and 97 RBIs.

Associated Press