Tribe’s Byrd still mum on HGH answers

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — Paul Byrd arrived at Cleveland’s spring training camp Friday and exchanged hugs with teammates and clubhouse workers.

After a “stressful” offseason during which he met with baseball officials regarding his use of human growth hormone, the 37-year-old right-hander was ready to start pitching again.

“I’m excited to get going,” he said. “It’s great to see the guys again and get on the mound.”

The quiet morning at Chain of Lakes Park was much different from the scene Byrd faced before Game 7 of last season’s American League championship series in Boston.

Earlier that day, it was reported he had purchased human growth hormone from 2002-05. About two hours before the game, Byrd addressed a media throng outside the Indians clubhouse at Fenway Park. He said he took HGH for a medical condition and under a doctor’s supervision.

It’s uncertain whether he will face discipline from the commissioner.

Full story appears in Saturday’s edition.