Dodgers Put Mandatory Drug Testing in Contracts

The Dodgers are including in all new contracts this year a clause that makes it mandatory for players to submit to urine tests to detect drug or alcohol abuse.

“I will acknowledge that we are putting--as part of the contracts this year--that it’s the right of the club to test players,” club executive Vice President Fred Claire said in an interview with the Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

“This is not aimed at any specific individuals,” he said. “We want it in all contracts.”

The policy will not affect players who have already signed multi-year contracts, he said.

Opposition to the clause is expected, based on the Major League Players Assn.’s stance on the issue during last year’s negotiations to form a policy on drug abuse.

The union in the past has looked at mandatory testing for drugs and alcohol as an intrusion on personal privacy. Mandatory testing was not included in the drug program agreed upon last summer.

Manager Tommy Lasorda will open the Dodgers’ annual voluntary winter workouts today at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers in the area will work out three times a week, leading up to the Feb. 10 open-to-the-public workout and exhibition game with USC.

Expected to take part in the workouts are Dave Anderson, Greg Brock, Carlos Diaz, Jack Fimple, Orel Hershiser, Rick Honeycutt, Ken Landreaux, Mike Marshall, Tom Niedenfuer, Alejandro Pena, Jerry Reuss, Steve Sax, Mike Scioscia, Bob Welch, Larry White, Terry Whitfield and Steve Yeager.

Dodger pitchers, catchers and non-roster players began spring training Feb. 22 at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., with the balance of the squad reporting Feb. 27.