http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...-program-announced-thursday-article-1.1091629 Major League Baseball and the Players Association announced Thursday that they have completed revisions in their drug-testing program, including testing players’ blood for human growth hormone during spring training and increasing the number of random tests for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs during the season and the offseason. The revisions also include modifying the program’s collection procedures following the Ryan Braun arbitration decision in which an independent arbitrator overturned Braun’s positive test for elevated testosterone because of chain of custody issues involving the collection of his urine sample. The revisions clarify when collectors must deliver specimens to a courier, and how specimens should be stored prior to delivery to the courier, as well as modifying the appeals procedures of the program, including the circumstances under which procedural deviations will result in the invalidation of test results. The parties also agreed to study expanding HGH testing to the regular season and to create an expert panel of recognized ADD/ADHD experts to advise the program administrator on therapeutic use exemption ("TUE") applications for ADD/ADHD medications. "These modifications to expand upon the comprehensive nature of our Program are consistent with our efforts to ensure we are running the highest quality drug testing in professional sports," said Rob Manfred, MLB's Executive Vice President for Economics and League Affairs. "This agreement is a reflection of our commitment to monitoring our program and making upgrades in all possible areas in order to best serve our game." MLBPA executive director Michael Weiner said the changes "reflect the players’ desire to have the strongest possible drug prevention and treatment program in professional team sports." Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...nced-thursday-article-1.1091629#ixzz1x8kKAwwt
