New York, NY

This season, Major League Baseball will start random unannounced in-season blood tests for human growth hormones and take baseline testosterone readings for all players, making it easier to detect use of synthetic testosterone.

The changes in the league's drug testing program were announced by commissioner Bud Selig after briefing top executives on the final day of the quarterly owners meetings Thursday.

The stringent procedures were implemented and announced in conjunction with the MLB Players Association and will amend the current collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2016.

"This is a very proud day for baseball," Selig said. "We'll continue to be a leader in this field and do what we need to do. You make up your mind you're going to do something, and you do it."

The MLB has authorized a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory based in Montreal to establish a longitudinal profile program in which every player's testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio will be established.

This data will be maintained by the laboratory with strict protections for confidentiality. That will enhance the ability to detect the use of prohibited substances through Carbon Isotope Ratio Mass Spectometry (IRMS).

According to Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president of labor relations, this will be one of the most significant programs of its kind in the world.

"It is significant because it's a demonstration of the commitment by the Commissioner and the MLBPA to constantly improve our drug programs and make every effort that we can to have our programs as good as they can possibly be and up to the standards that are expected of all sports internationally," said Manfred.

MLB Players Association executive director Mike Weiner said the players are behind the new method of determining use of banned substances.

"The players are determined to do all they can to continually improve the sport's Joint Drug Agreement. Players want a program that is tough, scientifically accurate, backed by the latest scientific methods and fair," Weiner said.

"I believe these changes firmly support the players' desires while protecting their legal rights," he added.

Christiane Ayotte, director of the Montreal laboratory, said the agreement "makes baseball's program second to none in detecting and deterring the use of synthetic HGH and testosterone."

 

MLB to Start In-Season Random HGH Testing for Players

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