Baseball Notes New steroid rules produce first ban

April 29, 2006

Yusaku Iriki, a minor-league pitcher in the New York Mets chain, was suspended for 50 games yesterday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, making him the first player to be penalized under Major League Baseball's toughened steroid rules.

The 33-year-old Iriki agreed to a one-year, $750,000 deal with the Mets in January after spending his entire career in Japan. He was playing at triple-A Norfolk this season and was on the Mets' 40-man roster.

Last year, Iriki would have received a 10-day penalty but owners and players agreed to increase the penalties this season to 50 games for a first offense, 100 games for a second, and a lifetime ban for a third.

There have been 10 players suspended this season under the minor-league program, including an Arizona pitching prospect for 100 games.

Mets pitcher Brian Bannister went on the 15-day disabled list after straining his right hamstring while running the bases Wednesday night.

The Chicago Cubs' Greg Maddux (5-0) earned his 323d victory, one shy of tying Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton for 13th in major-league history.

Ken Griffey Jr. was eligible to come off the 15-day DL yesterday. The Reds' slugger took batting practice, ran in the outfield and caught fly balls, but didn't feel that an inflamed tendon behind his right knee was back to full strength.

Washington Nationals pitcher John Patterson, who skipped his last start due to a right forearm strain, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The Nationals activated righthander Zach Day, claimed off waivers on Wednesday from the Rockies.

St. Louis Cardinals lefthander Ricardo Rincon was placed on the 15-day DL due to a shoulder injury, creating an opening on the roster for John Gall, who was batting .383 with 31 hits and 14 RBIs in 20 games for triple-A Memphis.