O’Malley Responds Guardedly to Charges by Fehr on Drug-Testing Clause in Dodger Contracts

Dodger owner Peter O’Malley responded Tuesday in guarded fashion to allegations made by Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Players Assn., that the Dodgers were trying to provoke a controversy by including a drug-testing clause in their player contracts.

“All I will say is that I think Donald Fehr’s comments were inaccurate, counterproductive and unfortunate,” O’Malley said. “But I’m hopeful the matter can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

“I really don’t want to comment any further at this time.”

On Monday, after the Dodgers’ signing of outfielder Mike Marshall, Fehr accused the Dodgers of pressuring Marshall into agreeing to the drug clause, which makes it mandatory for players to submit to urine tests on demand.