Tribe’s Byrd still mum on answers about HGH

The pitcher’s punishment hasn’t been revealed.

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. His name was included in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

“It was hard on my family,” he said. “It was a very stressful situation.”

Byrd said he met with baseball officials Dec. 17 in New York but didn’t elaborate.

“At this point, I’m still awaiting their decision in regards to the past and in regards to the future,” he said. “That is really all I can say.”

Byrd went 15-8 with a 4.59 ERA in 31 starts last season, his most wins since 2002 with the Royals. Byrd won both his starts in the playoffs, including a victory in Game 4 of the division series as the Indians eliminated the Yankees. He also defeated the Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALCS.

The Indians picked up Byrd’s $7.5 million option for 2008 in November.

Byrd wouldn’t answer several questions posed to him about the investigation.

He wouldn’t say if the pituitary issue, the reason he gave in October for taking HGH, was resolved or if he was still using the drug. In his news conference before Game 7, Byrd was adamant that his use of HGH didn’t mean he cheated.

Asked Friday if he thought people looked at him as a cheater, Byrd said, “I hope to answer that question later.”