Turnbow Still in Team’s Plans

Derrick Turnbow’s positive steroid test will have no effect on whether he pitches in the major leagues this year, Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said Tuesday.

“He’ll be there when we open spring training,” Stoneman said. “Unless I hear differently, he’s going to make our club or not make our club based on his ability to pitch.”

On Monday, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency identified Turnbow as having tested positive for a steroid prohibited under international baseball rules, making him the first major leaguer publicly cited for flunking a steroid test. The substance is not prohibited under major league rules, and Turnbow said he took an over-the-counter dietary supplement.

Turnbow, 25, dazzled the Angels with a 98-mph fastball in September, and the team must keep him on its major league roster next spring or allow every other team a chance to claim him. He is expected to win a spot in the bullpen.

Manager Mike Scioscia said steroids “absolutely” could help a pitcher throw harder. During his playing career, he said, he wondered whether some pitchers had increased velocity that way. In this case, however, Scioscia said, he did not believe Turnbow threw so hard because of steroid use.

“I don’t think it’s something he’s been doing for a long time,” Scioscia said. “He certainly showed he can throw hard when we brought him up in 2000.”

Turnbow tested positive Oct. 7, during tryouts for a U.S. Olympic qualifying team. He thus was not selected for the team.

He did not appeal the test result and accepted his two-year ban from international competition, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency spokesman Rich Wanninger said Tuesday. The ban is virtually irrelevant, however, since the U.S. did not qualify for this year’s Olympic Games.

The USADA cited Turnbow for using a chemical derivative related to androstenedione, the substance popularized by slugger Mark McGwire in 1998, when he broke baseball’s season home-run record.

Gene Orza, associate general counsel of the players’ union, did not return a call from The Times but told Associated Press that Turnbow used a legal substance.

“Derrick Turnbow did not test positive for a steroid,” Orza said. “He tested positive for what the [International Olympic Committee] and others regard as a steroid, but the U.S. government does not: the over-the-counter supplement androstenedione.”

As Turnbow said Monday, “I never would have failed a drug test if I hadn’t volunteered for USA Baseball.”

Minor leaguers have been subject to drug testing for years, and “andro” is banned in the minors. Turnbow pitched in the minor leagues in 2001 and 2002, but he was not subject to testing because the Angels have included him on their 40-man roster since they acquired him from the Philadelphia Phillies in 1999.

Stoneman said he was told the case would be administered under the new drug-testing program agreed to between the union and major league owners, under which Orza indicated the substance for which Turnbow tested positive is not forbidden. Stoneman said the Angels would nonetheless intensify efforts to persuade players not to use products containing andro.

“If it was bought over the counter, I’m assuming it’s legal,” Stoneman said. “Would I use it if I were playing? I don’t think so. There are other ways to get strong.”

Said Scioscia: “The initial report is obviously disturbing. As we get more information, we’ll see what any course of action might be and get a chance to talk to Derrick. He’s got a lot of ability, but everyone realizes this is a wrong step to take.”

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The Angels have yet to resume discussions on a contract extension with outfielder Garret Anderson, his agent said Tuesday, adding that Anderson was comfortable waiting until February or March to negotiate a deal.

During Stoneman’s tenure, the Angels have signed long-term deals in those months with pitchers Troy Percival and Ramon Ortiz, outfielder Tim Salmon, third baseman Troy Glaus and catcher Bengie Molina.

“If history repeats itself, there shouldn’t be any problem,” said Chris Arnold, Anderson’s agent. “We’re comfortable that’s what’s going to happen.”

Anderson, the Angels’ most valuable player three years running, will earn $6.2 million this season, the last in a four-year contract. He has rejected two four-year proposals, one believed to be worth $32 million and the other believed to be worth $40 million. Arnold previously had said that Anderson would not negotiate once the regular season starts. In the absence of an extension, Anderson would be eligible for free agency next fall.