Testing for opioids possible
Major league players aren’t routinely tested for opioids. Now, one week after Tyler Skaggs’ autopsy revealed t he Angels pitcher had fentanyl and oxycodone in his system when he died July 1, the commissioner’s office and the players’ union are expected to discuss whether to expand the major league drug testing program to include random screenings for opioids.
“For several reasons, including the tragic loss of a member of our fraternity and other developments happening in the country, it is ... important to reexamine all of our drug protocols relating to education, treatment and prevention,” union chief Tony Clark said in a statement Friday.
In the minors, where players aren’t represented by the union, the commissioner’s office mandates testing for opioids. Of the 75,000 tests administered over the last five years, only 10 were positive.
“We have not received information from our medical community that leads us to believe opioids are a widespread issue in baseball,” deputy commissioner Dan Halem said.
But Halem said the increasing prevalence of opioid abuse in the general population could present an opportunity for the league and union to work together toward protecting the welfare of players.
It’s unclear whether the league and union would consider suspending players that might test positive for opioids, referring them to a confidential testing program, or both.
In the minors, players receive treatment after a first positive test and are suspended after a second.