Rincon is fifth to fail drug test

DETROIT -- When first told Juan Rincon had violated baseball's steroid policy, David Ortiz's jaw dropped.

"No way. You're kidding me? I know him so well. He's not a guy who could inject that [expletive]," said Ortiz, who played two seasons (2001-02) with Rincon in Minnesota.

Rincon became the fifth -- and highest-profile -- player to be hit with a 10-day suspension for a first violation of Major League Baseball's new policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Rincon (5 feet 11 inches, 214 pounds) is a talented setup man who went 11-6 with a 2.63 ERA in 77 games last season. He had started this season 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 appearances.

Rincon tested positive for an undisclosed substance and his agent, Ed Setlik refused to identify the substance, but told the Associated Press he is planning to file a grievance. Unlike other penalties, suspensions under this policy take effect immediately.

"Suffice it to say [Rincon] was devastated and stunned by the result," Setlik said.

Rincon, who is earning $440,000 in the first year of a two-year deal, has jeopardized possible incentives in his contract. He will lose $24,044 in salary and has incentives of $10,000 for appearing in 68 games, $20,000 for 73 games, and $30,000 for 78 games.

Rincon, a 26-year-old righthander from Venezuela, is the first player to test positive since commissioner Bud Selig recommended a tougher policy that would penalize a player 50 games for a first offense, 100 games for a second offense, and a lifetime ban for a third offense.

In a letter to Selig yesterday, union head Donald Fehr said, "We will look forward to discussing the points you raised."

Fehr said the program as currently constituted is working and wrote, "Given the players' demonstrated commitment to make certain that the goals of our program are met, and their desire to continue to strive to make sure that is done, we are willing to discuss the matter with you."

He suggested the sides "negotiate at the table, and not in the media."

Meanwhile in Washington, Selig's new policy has stirred the interest of Congress. Henry Waxman of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, said, ''This is a proposal which I haven't had a chance to review, and it's not clear not only what the details are but whether it's something that's going to happen or not.

''We have a ways to go yet. We'll have to wait and see."

Ortiz was inclined to think Rincon simply didn't understand or was unclear about what he was taking, a problem Ortiz believes is widespread among Latin players because of the language barrier.

Ortiz also believes Major League Baseball and the Players Association should change their policy and announce the substance in positive tests, to eliminate suspicion.

Tim Wakefield, a former union representative for the Red Sox, agreed, noting there is a big difference in the court of public opinion for someone taking steroids as opposed to taking supplements.

"I would agree with David," Wakefield said. "I think there's a difference between taking steroids and accidentally taking a supplement with banned ingredients."

Ortiz said he spoke to Bobby Bonilla, the union's link to Latin players. "I told Bonilla that they should get the Latin players together in the Dominican, halfway between Puerto Rico and Venezuela, and have a lunch or something in the offseason and sit and explain all of this stuff to them," Ortiz said. "The best way is to get everybody together and explain it so everybody understands it."

Ortiz believes it's no coincidence four of the five players who have tested positive are of Latin heritage. Tampa Bay outfielder Alex Sanchez said he took a supplement he didn't know was on the banned list. The others are Colorado's Jorge Piedra and Texas minor leaguer Agustin Montero. Seattle's Jamal Strong also tested positive.

"I just know that Juan would be afraid to do anything like [take steroids]," said Ortiz. "I think they need to tell people what the suspension is for, because people see a name on the screen and think he must be doing the same things as [Jose] Canseco, when he really took some ephedra instead of andro. Those aren't the same thing."

The Twins were off yesterday, but open a three-game series against the Indians tonight.

"[Rincon] feels like he's let the team down," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "It's a tough day. I think we're all surprised, but hopefully we'll get through this thing. We'll let the process take its place and do the best we can. We're on his side. We've always stood by our players. They make mistakes. They're humans. It's a learning process for everybody."

Material from Associated Press was used in this report