Giambi won’t be disciplined

TORONTO -- Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees escaped punishment from Commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday because of his charitable work and cooperation with baseball’s steroids investigator.

Selig, speaking on the second and final day of an owners meeting, called this an “appropriate decision.”

Giambi has acknowledged a “personal history regarding steroids.” He agreed to speak with former Sen. George Mitchell last month after Selig threatened to discipline him if he refused to cooperate.

“He’s doing a lot of public-service work, and I think that’s terribly important,” Selig said.

“I think it’s more important for us to keep getting the message out. He was, I thought, very frank and candid with Senator Mitchell, at least that was the senator’s conclusion. Given everything, this is an appropriate decision.”

Selig said on June 21, before Giambi met Mitchell, that he would take “Giambi’s level of cooperation into account in determining appropriate further action.”

“I am pleased with Commissioner Selig’s decision to forgo any punishment for Jason,” said Giambi’s agent, Arn Tellem.

Selig said Mitchell was not expected to speak with any other active players. “This was a special circumstance,” Selig said. “I have no other plans.”

No date has been announced for the release of Mitchell’s report.

Giambi met Mitchell in New York on July 13, becoming the first active player known to talk with baseball’s steroids investigator.

Giambi, a former American League most valuable player, sat out more than two months this season because of torn tissue in his left foot.

The first baseman is batting .270 with nine home runs and 26 runs batted in RBIs in 51 games for the Yankees.