CLEVELAND — Paul Byrd got positive news Friday, but he’s still waiting for more.
With Major League Baseball announcing that it would not penalize those named in the Mitchell Report, he will avoid a suspension for admitting to taking HGH. But Byrd, who said he took the banned substance for medical reasons, is awaiting word as to whether his case will be handled differently than the others accused.
“I’m still waiting to hear back from Major League Baseball on if something will be said about my situation,” said Byrd, who admitted prior to Game 7 of the ALCS at Fenway Park last October to taking prescribed HGH for a pituitary tumor. “I still stand behind my story. The things I said in Boston I believe are accurate. We’ll see what happens.”
The 11-year veteran wouldn’t say whether he petitioned MLB for the right to continue to take HGH, which has been reported, or if he was still using the substance. “I want to keep the future private, and my issue with the tumor,” he said.
MLB’s decision came along with the announcement that the league and the Players Association will modify baseball’s current drug policy. Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro was pleased with the news.
“I know it’s been a long time in the works,” Shapiro said. “Anytime you have collaboration between the union and Major League Baseball, it’s positive for the game. Obviously, to deal with a problem of this magnitude, it’s going to take collaboration.”
Shapiro was also glad to learn that his fourth starter would not be penalized, though he wasn’t thinking about it constantly.
“I was probably anxious in spring training to know if we were going to have him pitching for us,” Shapiro said. “But at this point, I’m feeling (a suspension) is not going to happen. He’s here and we’ll prepare for him to pitch for us all season.
“It’s really not a focus for me right now.”
The same can’t be said for Byrd, who waited all spring to hear from MLB before getting off to a dismal start to the season. The right-hander has allowed 11 runs on 13 hits (three home runs) over his first two starts, walking four through 71/3 innings.
“I didn’t think it was bothering me much, but it really was,” Byrd said. “I felt a lot of relief when I learned there wouldn’t be a suspension.”
Byrd can now concentrate on pitching, while going back to waiting.
“A little bit,” said Byrd when asked if he felt vindicated by the decision. “I’m glad that Major League Baseball took the time. I’m glad they did it right with a very lengthy investigation, and I’m pleased with the outcome.”
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
 

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