Indians to Seek Drug Test Clause

The Cleveland Indians intend to ask their players to sign contracts that include a clause allowing drug testing, team President Peter Bavasi said.

“This is a request by us for them to embrace such a clause and go along with the efforts of baseball to clean up our game,” Bavasi said. “It is not punitive. The clause is designed to accomplish two objectives: to amplify the general concern (about drug abuse) we all have and to show our players that we are concerned about their well being.”

Bavasi said the Indians will ask all players signing new contracts “to give us the right to request drug tests.”

“We will explain to each player individually our rationale, and each player can make his own decision,” he said. “It will not be a unilateral decision (by the team).”