Guillen left off postseason roster because of injury, not PEDs - MLB

HardballTalk’s own Craig Calcaterra had this story on Friday. Now it’s close to being confirmed.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy informed the Associated Press before Saturday’s World Series Game 3 that Jose Guillen was not left off the Giants’ postseason roster because of a PED-related investigation. He was left off because of a neck injury that would have hurt his availability throughout the team’s playoff run.

The New York Times ran a story earlier this week stating that Guillen was found to have received shipments of human growth hormone (HGH) during the 2010 season at an address registered to his wife. The story also said that Major League Baseball asked the Giants to leave the veteran outfielder out of their postseason plans because of the ongoing investigation. The first is true. The second, apparently, is not.

In all likelihood, the decision on Guillen was made for a variety of reasons. He did not hit with power down the stretch for the Giants and has become a pitiful defensive outfielder over the past few years. The neck injury definitely played a part. And the investigation definitely didn’t help anything.

Guillen, an impending free agent, is still waiting on word from the DEA and MLB commissioner’s office. It seems likely that he won’t have an agreement with a big league club before the start of spring training.

LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.