Scioscia Says Steroid Hearings Will Be Beneficial to the Sport

While several players have balked at orders to testify before a House committee investigating steroid use, Manager Mike Scioscia said he believes such hearings, such as the one investigating cocaine use in baseball in the 1980s, are good for the game in the long run.

“Maybe it will provide some insights so it doesn’t happen again, because it’s ugly,” Scioscia said before the Angels’ 6-5 exhibition victory over Oakland on Thursday. “Players have testified about other things. There’s a precedent. If it cleans up this great game and leaves it better for those inheriting it, then it’s certainly worth a plane flight to Washington to give testimony.”

Among the current and former players who were subpoenaed for the March 17 hearing are Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Jason Giambi. Giambi reportedly admitted to using steroids in grand jury testimony in 2003.

Barry Bonds was not called to testify, but as the San Francisco Giant slugger closes in on Hank Aaron’s record of 755 career home runs, his power numbers achieved in recent years have come under scrutiny because of suspicions he has used performance-enhancing substances.

“He was a sensational player before any of these [accusations], but he’s approaching some immortal records of great players, and there will be debate about the legitimacy of it,” Scioscia said.

“Some things have to be clarified. Giambi and some others have admitted to using [steroids]. That hasn’t come to pass with Barry, but I certainly feel if you’re using things that give you an unnatural edge on the playing field, it should be addressed. That shouldn’t be part of the game.”

*

Third baseman Dallas McPherson, diagnosed with a herniated disk, returned to camp with a renewed commitment to a core-strengthening program and stretching regimen he hopes will prevent the back problems that sidelined him for two months in 2003 and will knock him out for two to four weeks this spring.

“They figured out I have tight hips, and that puts extra stress on my spine when I swing,” said the 6-foot-4, 230-pound McPherson, who is doubtful for the season opener. “I have to stretch and massage the soft tissue in the area and loosen the muscles around it.”

When the inflammation in McPherson’s lower back subsides, he will begin a training regimen designed by Dr. Robert Watkins, the Los Angeles back specialist who examined McPherson on Tuesday.

Teammate Jeff DaVanon went on the program after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back in 2002 and has not experienced a relapse. “It’s about an hour’s worth of abdominal exercises every other day,” DaVanon said. “It’s just something you have to keep up with, stay dedicated to.”

McPherson went on the program after rupturing a disk in his lower back in 2003 but hasn’t followed it religiously since.

“The key for me will be staying on the exercise program every day,” McPherson said. “I have to get back to the core program, so I don’t get injured again.”

*

First baseman Darin Erstad had hoped to shed the bulky knee brace he began wearing after a strained hamstring sidelined him for a month last season, but three weeks into camp, the brace is back on his right leg -- where it will probably remain all season.

“If I’m going to blow it out, I’m going to blow it out with it on,” Erstad said. “The tendon behind the knee and the hamstring are not stable, and they need support.”

*

Scioscia said Cuban refugee Kendry Morales, stuck in the Dominican Republic as he awaits clearance for a visa to travel to the U.S., should have all the necessary documents to travel to Arizona by Monday.... Former shortstop Gary DiSarcina, who joined the Angels as a guest instructor Thursday, will make his television debut this season with the New England Sports Network, doing pregame and postgame shows on 40 Red Sox telecasts. “It’s a different world, but it will be fun,” DiSarcina said.