CLEVELAND (AP) -Paul Byrd is relieved at being granted amnesty Friday by Major League Baseball with others implicated in the Mitchell Report, though the Indians right-hander would not discuss whether he has applied for an exemption to continue taking human growth hormone.
“I didn’t think it was bothering me very much, but it really was and I felt a lot of relief when I found out there wasn’t going to be any suspensions,” Byrd said before the Indians opened a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics.
“I’m glad Major League Baseball took its time and did it right,” the 37-year-old Byrd said. “I’m pleased with the investigation’s outcome.”
Byrd was at the center of controversy hours before Game 7 of last fall’s American League Championship Series in Boston, when it was reported he had purchased HGH from 2002-05 to help control a problem with his pituitary gland. Byrd told a throng of reporters at Fenway Park that he took HGH under a doctor’s supervision.
“I stand behind my story,” Byrd said Friday, though he refused to say whether his health has improved or if he no longer needs to take HGH.
“I want to keep the future private,” he said. “I want to move forward. I want to address the past, but I’m waiting to hear back from Major League Baseball about my situation.”
Indians general manager Mark Shapiro believes Byrd’s future is now a non-issue.
“I gave it a thought at the start of spring training, but not now,” Shapiro said. “At this point, I look at him as being prepared to pitch with us for the season.”
Shapiro applauded baseball’s attempts to toughen its stance on performance-enhancing drugs while admitting there is more work to do.
“Education is the long-term fix,” he said. “These other actions are a deterrent, but ultimately we really need to provide extension education to everyone.”
Byrd went 15-8 with a 4.59 ERA in 31 starts last season. He 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 and manager Eric Wedge said they didn’t think the lingering issue had a direct effect on the right-hander’s poor start this season. He’s 0-2 with an 11.05 ERA in two starts.
“Paul is too tough (to be distracted),” Wedge said. “He knows the deal and it is about throwing his fastball where he wants. I think he’ll make adjustments and get back on track.”
Byrd said his usually impeccable control has deserted him. Over his previous four seasons, Byrd walked only 113 batters in 690 innings. This year, he’s walked four and hit two batters in only 7 1-3 innings.
“My first couple starts have been really bad,” Byrd said. “I haven’t hit my spot and I’ve been missing by feet, not inches. To be successful, you either have to good command or good stuff and I’ve had neither. That’s not me.
“I have to figure it out and get going.”
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