Talk of changes to Major League Baseball drug-test policy

BASEBALL UNION head Michael Weiner said Monday there have been talks about increasing the penalties for violating baseball's drug-testing program.

"There are certainly some players who have expressed that," Weiner said. "We've had discussions with the commissioner's office. If it turns out that we have a different penalty structure because that's what players are interested in, that's what the owners are interested in, it will be for 2014."

Weiner spoke to the media after he met with the Toronto Blue Jays as part of his annual tour of spring training camps.

"On one hand, we do have the toughest penalties of any team sport," Weiner said. "Fifty games is more than you'd see for the first time in football and hockey and basketball. More and more players are vocal about the desire to have a clean game. More and more players are vocal about being willing to accept sacrifices in terms of testing in order to make sure we have a clean game."

Changes to the drug program must be approved by both Major League Baseball and the players' union.

"One of the strengths of our Joint Drug Testing Program is that the bargaining parties have an ongoing dialogue about the program and potential changes that can make it even more effective," Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for economics and league affairs, said in a statement. "We look forward to discussions with the MLBPA about changes that may be needed to respond to recent developments."

One area where increased attention helped encourage change was in testing for human growth hormone.

"The players approved this change, and it was an important change to have year around blood-testing to improve the possibility of detection for the use of HGH," Weiner said. "It was something the players felt very strongly about. The players at this point have very little patience for players that are trying to cheat the system, and understand that year-around HGH testing is an important component."

HGH testing began last year but was limited to spring training.

In other news:

* The latest comeback try by Dontrelle Willis lasted just seven pitches. Still trying find a flash of his former self, Willis, 31, said he hurt his left shoulder in the Chicago Cubs' 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star walked Nick Evans on six pitches in the eighth inning. After throwing ball one to Brian Barden, Willis grabbed his shoulder.

"It's a mild setback," said Willis, who signed a minor league contract with the Cubs in January. "Hopefully, it's not serious. It's probably just fatigue."

* Cleveland leftfielder Michael Brantley needed stitches in his left forearm after being spiked during the Indians' 14-10 win over the Oakland Athletics. Brantley was spiked by third baseman Josh Donaldson in a play that ended the third inning.

* Major League Baseball reshuffled its umpire roster after the retirements of crew chiefs Ed Rapuano, Tim Tschida and Derryl Cousins. Jim Joyce, Ted Barrett and Fieldin Culbreth have been promoted to crew chiefs. MLB also hired Vic Carapazza, Manny Gonzalez and Alan Porter as full-time staff members after they split time between the majors and minors in recent years.