Barry Bonds, the embattled slugger whose home run feats have been tainted by a doping row, apologized to San Francisco Giants teammate Mark Sweeney for linking him to Bonds' drugs fiasco.
Bonds released a statement one day after the New York Daily News reported that he tested positive for amphetamines last season, a violation that brings no ban and is not even made public.
The report claimed that Bonds at first blamed Sweeney for his doping positive, saying that he took a substance provided him by his teammate.
Sweeney's agent denied any substance was given and was adamant his client is not a doping cheat.
After first implicating Sweeney, the newspaper said Bonds backed off that claim and that he called his fellow Giant to apologize.
"He is both my teammate and my friend," Bonds said in his statement.
"He did not give me anything whatsoever and has nothing to do with this matter, contrary to recent reports," he said.
The Giants, who told the newspaper they had not heard about Bonds' amphetamine positive test until asked about it for the story, have offered the player a US$16 million contract to play this year.
But Bonds has not signed the deal or taken a physical and the Giants might have concerns over the deal due to the positive test.
Bonds has been linked to the BALCO steroid scandal and his trainer, Greg Anderson, was among five men convicted in the distribution ring. Bonds has denied knowingly taking banned drugs.
Bonds faces a grand jury investigation for perjury and tax evasion charges even as he prepares to challenge Hank Aaron's all-time US homer record of 755. Bonds needs 22 to break the mark.
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