Steroids among pitchers on the rise

NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- The belief steroids in baseball are mainly used for hitters who want bulk is crumbling as a growing number of pitchers have been testing positive.

As evidence, two of the five players suspended from Major League Baseball for steroid offenses this spring were pitchers, as were 29 of the 63 players who failed more rigorous testing in the minor leagues, the New York Times said Wednesday.

"As a whole, we've probably been surprised by the number of pitchers that have been involved with it," said New York Mets left-hander Tom Glavine. "I think there was a perception it wouldn't do anything for pitchers, (but) I think we probably all realize we might have been wrong."

Oakland Athletics left fielder Eric Byrnes agreed, saying some players had suspicions about pitchers who threw 87 mph one year and 95 the next, just as they had suspicions about hitters who hit 10 home runs one season and considerably more the next.