MATTHEWS' NAME IS IN DRUG PROBE REPORT SAYS ANGEL IS AN INTERNET CUSTOMER.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Gary Matthews Jr.'s name has surfaced in the investigation of a Mobile, Ala.-based Internet pharmacy accused in the illegal distribution of prescription drugs, including human growth hormone.

In a report Tuesday in the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union, the newspaper credited "sources with knowledge of the investigation" linking the Angels' new outfielder to the situation. The report did not reveal what types of products Matthews ordered, if any, although he was labeled a customer by the newspaper.

Matthews, a product of Granada Hills High and Mission College, had two at-bats in an intrasquad game Tuesday.

"We talked to Gary and made him aware of the article, and right now there are no details," manager Mike Scioscia said. "We didn't really know what happened or what's going on. We have to see what's going on."

Matthews was not the only athlete linked to the investigation. Former heavyweight Evander Holyfield also was named and allegedly used the name "Evan Fields" when placing orders. Admitted steroid user Jose Canseco also was named by the Times Union as an alleged client of Applied Pharmacy Services. A number of unnamed NFL players also were linked.

In addition to the Mobile, Ala., provider, a pharmacy in Orlando, Fla., also has been under investigation by a special grand jury in New York for over a year. A top physician with the Pittsburgh Steelers allegedly ordered $150,000 worth of testosterone and human growth hormone on a personal credit card through Signature Pharmacy. Because he is a physician there was no law broken. The retail value of those drugs is said to be worth $750,000.

Another alleged customer of Signature is former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jason Grimsley, who had mail-order steroids seized at his home last year.

The Albany County district attorney pursued the case because the Orlando pharmacy did an estimated $10 million of business in New York, and the state has some of the strictest prescription laws in the country.

Matthews had a breakout season in 2006 with the Texas Rangers at age 31, batting .313 with 19home runs and 79 RBIs. All the numbers were career highs.

In November, Matthews signed a five-year, $50 million free-agent contract with the Angels.

"We don't know what the situation is," Scioscia said. "Gary's never failed a drug test, so we'll see what happens."

Scioscia was asked if it was disappointing to hear the name of one of his players involved in a scandal of this magnitude.

"You don't really know," Scioscia said. "We just don't know what's happening. We just found out about it this afternoon."

[e-mail]

[phone], Ext. 2731

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Gary Matthews Jr. signed with the Angels after spending last season with the Texas Rangers.

Paul Connors/Associated Press