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MLB Wants HGH Blood Test for Next Season

Players union must sign off on new exam for banned substance

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2007 8:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – In the wake of scandals involving Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel and Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, among others, Major League Baseball is weighing a blood test for human growth hormone that would be implemented by next season. A test developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency is expected to be available for mass use within a few months, USA Today reports.

"If there is a valid blood test, I'm sure baseball will consider it," says an MLB spokesman. The players' union would have to give the go-ahead to HGH testing; the president declined to comment. NFLPA chief Gene Upshaw is opposed: "There's no way I'm having my guys punched for a blood test every time they walk into a locker room."

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, right, is joined by Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty as he answers questions from the media prior to the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, in Phoenix.  (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, right, is joined by Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty as he answers questions from the media prior to the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks...   (Associated Press)
Toronto Blue Jays' Troy Glaus waits his turn in the batting before a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Friday night Sept. 7, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Toronto Blue Jays' Troy Glaus waits his turn in the batting before a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Friday night Sept. 7, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)   (Associated Press)
Baltimore Orioles' Jay Gibbons bats during a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in this March 24, 2007 file photo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Gibbons received performance-enhancing steroids and human growth hormone after both substances were banned by baseball, according to a report Sunday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Baltimore Orioles' Jay Gibbons bats during a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in this March 24, 2007 file photo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Gibbons received performance-enhancing...   (Associated Press)
St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)   (Associated Press)
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