Matthews Subject of Steroid Investigation

March 12, 2007

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Gary Matthews Jr. apologized to the Los Angeles Angels for causing a distraction to the team during spring training.

Matthews allegedly was sent human growth hormone in 2004 from a pharmacy that's part of a widespread steroid investigation, and Angels owner Arte Moreno has asked Matthews to publicly address the issue, a stance baseball commissioner Bud Selig backed Saturday.

"Gary regrets the distraction this story has caused the Angels front office, the manager and his staff, teammates and fans," Matthews' agent, Scott Leventhal, said in a statement. "However, given the ongoing investigation, he simply cannot discuss the matter until appropriate to do so. Gary sincerely apologizes for this distraction and is determined to resolve this issue in a timely manner."

The statement was first reported Monday by the Los Angeles Times and was sent later in the day to The Associated Press.

HGH was not banned by baseball for players with major league contracts until 2005. This investigation appears to be targeting the suppliers of the substances, not those who might have received anything from the suppliers.