Report: Rangers manager Washington tested positive for cocaine

Baseball Betting Lines

03/17/2010 - Surprise, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington reportedly tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season.

According to a report from SI.com, Washington failed the test last July, but has passed all his tests since. The testing increased after the positive test, the report said.

Washington, 57, told the news outlet he made a mistake and regretted it. The report said Washington notified the commissioner's office and the Rangers about his use of cocaine prior to learning the test results.

Texas general manager Jon Daniels told SI.com that the organization felt not firing and supporting Washington was the right thing to do. He said the organization feels Washington is still the right person to lead the team, which went 87-75 last season, its first winning record since 2004.

The report said under MLB policy, Washington was considered a first-time offender and went through counseling that's mandatory for non-players who fail a test or admit to drug use. MLB policy mandates managers and coaches be subject to random testing once a year. But while the report said Washington was cleared to have his testing scaled back to that level, he voluntarily will continue the increased testing.

Washington was hired as the Rangers' manager in November 2006. In three seasons with him at the helm, Texas has gone 241-245.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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