Sconiers Out of Hospital, Is Training Informally

The present progress and probable future status of Angel first baseman Daryl Sconiers’ rehabilitation from “substance abuse” was disclosed Friday during a press conference at Anaheim Stadium.

The present: Sconiers was released from Centinela Hospital Medical Center Wednesday and has resumed informal workouts with the team, undergoing a spring-training-type regimen of running, throwing, stretching and hitting.

The future: Following the conclusion of this conditioning period, which should last a week to 10 days, Sconiers will be assigned to one of the Angels’ minor league affiliates, where he’ll become re-acclimated to competition.

And the past? Well, that remains rather murky.

Sconiers did not discuss details about what substance he abused, or how much he abused it, and was only sketchy in the account of his month-long participation in the Start Life program at Centinela.

“It was a long, drawn-out process,” Sconiers said. “It was like going back to school. . . .

“I don’t want to dwell on the I-broke-down-and-now-I’m-fixed aspects. (But) something had to be done, it was becoming a detriment to my well-being. My recognizing it was the start.”

After missing the first 17 days of spring training, for which he was fined $245 a day ($4,165 total), Sconiers met with the press March 18 at Mesa, Ariz., where he revealed he had a substance problem and said: “Right now, I feel that I have it under control.”

Friday, Sconiers described that statement as premature.

“When I was saying that it was all under control, it was a figure of speech,” he said. “I’m no super-hero. I realized something had to be done. . . .

“I’m a human being, and all human beings make mistakes. There are probably more steps to be taken, but I’m now aware of how harmful it has been.”

Angel General Manager Mike Port said he is satisfied with the progress that Sconiers has made at Centinela.

“We’ve all heard about this type of circumstance, which is so prevalent in society today,” Port said. “If such has to be the case (with a baseball player), I don’t think it could have been handled better. The lines of communication have been open, and Daryl has been cooperative.”

Port said that the commissioner’s office was not involved in the Sconiers case. “The entire situation was purely within the restrictions of the joint drug-program agreement,” he said in reference to baseball’s players-owners accord. “There was no reason for the commissioner to be involved.

“We will continue a line of dialogue with the people at Centinela Hospital, but our task now is to restore Daryl to full baseball-playing condition. We just want our left-handed hitter back--and some line drives.”

Sconiers will work out with Angel assistant trainer Ned Bergert for a few days before being sent to one of the team’s minor league affiliates for a rehabilitation assignment.

“If that’s what it takes, “ Sconiers said, “I’m all for it. Baseball is baseball; the atmosphere is just different in the minors.”

Sconiers was able to run once a week and work out with weights daily at Centinela but said his hitting and fielding skills “are kind of rusty. Knowing this old body, it’ll probably take me a couple of weeks to get in shape,” he said.

“My mental outlook is very positive. Sometimes, you go through things in life that are not necessarily good for you. If you come out of it not so bad, and realize what went wrong, it’s a step forward in the right direction.”

Angel General Manager Mike Port said he is satisfied with the progress that Sconiers has make at Centinela.