CLEVELAND (AP) -Pitcher Paul Byrd, whose admitted use of human growth hormone served as a backdrop to the end of Cleveland’s season, had his $7.5 million club option for 2008 picked up by the Indians on Tuesday.
Before Game 7 the American League championship series in Boston, Byrd acknowledged taking HGH after the San Francisco Chronicle reported he spent nearly $25,000 on the banned drug and syringes from 2002-05. The 36-year-old Byrd claims he took HGH for a medical condition and did so only under a doctor’s supervision.
Byrd is expected to meet with Major League Baseball officials to discuss his use of the performance-enhancing drug.
The Indians also exercised their $4 million option on closer Joe Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves last season, and $1.5 million option on left-handed reliever Aaron Fultz.
Add A Comment