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New testing deal
Sides near agreement on changes
Rays Colome Drug Susp Heal 1
In this June 22, 2013 file photo, Tampa Bay Rays' Alex Colome delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the New York Yankees, in New York. Colome has been suspended for the first 50 games of the season for a positive steroids test. - photo by Associated Press
NEW YORK — Baseball players and management hope to reach a new drug agreement this week that would increase initial penalties for muscle-building steroids and allow a decrease of suspensions for some positive tests caused by unintentional use, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. For future suspensions, the deal also would eliminate the loophole allowing Alex Rodriguez to earn almost $3 million during his season-long ban, the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity in recent days because talks are ongoing.