Romero settles lawsuit with supplement maker
Former Phillies reliever J.C. Romero has settled a lawsuit with the makers and distributors of what he says is a tainted supplement that caused a positive drug test in 2008, according to a report.
Former Phillies reliever J.C. Romero has settled a lawsuit with the makers and distributors of what he says is a tainted supplement that caused a positive drug test in 2008, according to a report.
Romero had to serve a 50-game suspension at the start of the 2009 season and filed a lawsuit in April in New Jersey against GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Ergopharm and Proviant Technologies.
"I didn't cheat," Romero told the New York Daily News. "Some other people were being negligent and I had to pay the price. But I've been using this to educate other players. I haven't been able to be the same since I was suspended. I didn't believe the suspension could affect me the way it did."
Romero was with the Phillies until he was released last summer. He recently signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Romero tested positive in August 2008 and was notified before the World Series, in which he won two games against Tampa Bay. Romero appealed the positive result.
Romero, 35, declined to comment on the amount of the settlement and it is not clear how many of the initial four defendants were involved.
"The amount of money [in the settlement] isn't relevant," he told the newspaper. "What is relevant is that people know my side. Some fans questioned my integrity. Now there is some closure and I can say the 2008 World Series was legit. Now I can focus on dominating for another 5 years, hopefully."
Phillers
The Phillies have released outfielder John Bowker to allow him to pursue an opportunity in Japan, believed to be with the Yomiuri Giants, the same team that signed pitcher Scott Mathieson earlier this offseason. Bowker did not have a hit in 13 at-bats (seven strikeouts) with the Phillies after being acquired from the Pirates on Aug. 31 . . . The Phillies are talking to veteran reliever Jeremy Accardo, 30, about a minor league deal, according to ESPN.com. He went 3-3 with a 5.73 ERA in 37 2/3 innings for Baltimore last season . . . Reliever Ryan Madson is in "serious talks" with Cincinnati, according to CBSSports.com.