'Devastated' Rincon begins suspension

MINNEAPOLIS — Suspended Twins reliever Juan Rincon was "devastated" to hear he had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and insisted Tuesday that he would never intentionally put his career in jeopardy.

Penalized 10 days on Monday for the violation, the Minnesota setup man asked the players' union file a grievance over the ban, and paperwork was submitted Tuesday, union chief operating officer Gene Orza said.

Wearing his pregame warmup uniform and standing next to general manager Terry Ryan, Rincon read a prepared statement about 3 1/2 hours before the Twins played Cleveland.

"Baseball is my life, and I was devastated after becoming aware that I tested positive for a violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," Rincon said. "The details are confidential, and I have asked the players' association to challenge the suspension.

"What I can share with you today is that I would never knowingly compromise my position within Major League Baseball or jeopardize my relationship with the Minnesota Twins organization or the relationships that I enjoy with my teammates.

"I will make no further comments, or answer any questions, until the process plays out in its entirety. However, I will add that I look forward to returning to the field to continue pitching to the best of my ability to help the Twins organization win its fourth consecutive division title."

Rincon will leave Thursday for Fort Myers, Fla., and participate in extended spring training before he's eligible to be reinstated for the May 13 game against the Texas Rangers.

"Juan's a standup guy," Ryan said. "We've got to try to put this behind us."

Unlike suspensions for on-field conduct, drug-related suspensions are not held up pending a hearing. Among the five players suspended thus far for violating the major league drug-testing program, Texas Rangers minor league pitcher Agustin Montero also filed a grievance.

YANKEES CAPS HIJACKED: The slumping New York Yankees were big losers off the field Tuesday when thieves hijacked a shipment of 47,000 caps scheduled to be given away this weekend at Yankee Stadium.

Team spokesman Rick Cerrone had no additional details regarding the robbery.

The Yankees have received about half the hats for the Cap Weekend giveaway Friday and Saturday against Oakland. Fans not receiving a cap will be given a voucher.

New York is playing a four-game series at Tampa Bay that concludes Thursday.