Performance enhancing drugs used and suspensions follow .. Mitchell report due Thursday

George J Mitchell is mentioned in the last post reporting all those years ago on Israeli settlements .. now he is causing concerns in his report on drug abuse in Baseball ..the report is expected next week.

2 players were suspended yesterday - Jay Gibbons of the Orioles and José Guillén, who played for the Mariners last season and is now with the Royals — they will serve 15-day suspensions at the start of the 2008 season.(Sports Illustrated report)

Neither Gibbons nor Guillén has tested positive for a banned substance. But each was linked, through documentary evidence, to having received human growth hormone and steroids.

Mitchell, who was appointed to conduct his investigation by Commissioner Bud Selig in March 2006, has documentary evidence, but no test results, that ties dozens of players to purchases of drugs from 1995 through 2005.

Mitchell received information from Kirk Radomski, a former Mets clubhouse attendant who pleaded guilty in April to federal charges of steroid distribution.

Between October 2003 and July 2005, Gibbons received six shipments of H.G.H. and two shipments of steroids, SI.com reported in September.

Gibbons said yesterday in a written statement."I am deeply sorry for the mistakes that I have made. I have no excuses and bare sole responsibility for my decisions," the Baltimore outfielder said. "Years ago, I relied on the advice of a doctor, filled a prescription, charged the HGH, (Human Growth Hormone) which is a medication, to my credit card and had only intended to help speed my recovery from my injuries and surgeries."

Michael Weiner, the general counsel for the players union, said Gibbons did not plan to appeal his suspension.

Guillén, according to a report in The San Francisco Chronicle, ordered more than $19,000 worth of H.G.H. and steroids from May 2002 to June 2005. Weiner said Guillén would appeal.