BASEBALL NOTEBOOK
NEW YORK — As Barry Bonds prepares to defend his name, the slugger who may eventually surpass him as the all-time home run leader has become ensnared by the Steroids Era: Alex Rodriguez.
Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids during his MVP season with Texas in 2003, Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site Saturday.
The New York Yankees star has long denied using performance-enhancing drugs. He declined to discuss the tests when approached by SI on Thursday at a gym in Miami.
"You'll have to talk to the union," he said.
Major League Baseball and the players' union issued statements Saturday, refusing to confirm or deny the report, citing player confidentiality.
An e-mail from The Associated Press to Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, was not immediately returned. The Yankees and Rangers declined comment.
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Rodriguez's name appears on a list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in a 2003 baseball survey, SI said, citing four anonymous sources. He reportedly tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone.
The SI revelations come at a time when baseball's focus on drugs has concerned Bonds and the legal maneuvering leading to the start of his trial March 2. The government is trying to prove Bonds lied when he told a grand jury he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.
A three-time AL MVP, Rodriguez has hit 553 career homers. At age 33, the All-Star third baseman is the highest-paid player in baseball and regarded by many as the most likely to break Bonds' record of 762.
Nationals' Hill wins arbitration case
WASHINGTON — Nationals pitcher Shawn Hill had two reasons to be pleased Saturday.
He won his salary arbitration case and will earn $775,000 in 2009, instead of the $500,000 Washington offered, and his right arm felt just the way it should — zero pain — after a 45-pitch bullpen session as spring training approaches.
"Just like any other pitcher that we would have. Ready to go. No restrictions at this point," said Hill, whose career has been marked by plenty of promise and plenty of injuries. "Just trying to get tuned up."
The right-handed starter was the first player in major-league baseball to go to a hearing this year.
