Baseball modifies drug policy

NEW YORK, April 11 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball's drug policy was modified Friday after an agreement between owners and management on a series of changes.

The changes are in response to the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing substances.

Players named in the report will not face disciplinary action from the commissioner's office and the major league players union will contribute $200,000 for an anti-drug charitable or research organization.

The union has agreed to join programs aimed at educating youth on the dangers of performance-enhancing substances.

"It is time for the game to move forward," said Commissioner Bud Selig. "There is little to be gained at this point in debating dated misconduct and enduring numerous disciplinary proceedings. Educating children and their parents about the dangers of performance-enhancing substances is a much more productive endeavor."

The new agreement will run through December 2011.

Also, 15-day suspensions against Kansas City's Jose Guillen and free agent Jay Gibbons have been eliminated.