Angels sound off on drug cheaters a day after facing Bartolo Colon

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New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who has not played this season while recovering from hip surgery, was suspended until after the 2014 season by Major League Baseball over allegations of use of performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez will be allowed to play while his suspension is under appeal. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

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Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz, the MVP of the 2011 American League Championship Series, was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs. (Tom Pennington / Getty Images)

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was suspended 65 games on July 22, 2013, for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy. (Rich Schultz / Getty Images)

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon was suspended 50 games in 2012 after testing positive for synthetic testosterone. (Reed Saxon / Associated Press)

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Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, a two-time All-Star who helped the club get to the 2012 World Series, was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs. (Leon Halip / Getty Images)

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The San Diego Padres shortstop, who had a career-high 44 stolen bases last season, was suspended 50 games,/a> by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs. (Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)

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San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal was suspended 50 games in 2012 after testing positive for a high testosterone level. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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The New Yankees catcher, who has played parts of six seasons with the team but only 17 games this season because of injuries, was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs. (Brian Blanco / Associated Press)

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Seattle Mariners catcher and designated hitter, who hit .260 with 15 home runs last season, was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs. He was sent to triple-A on May 20 and has since been sidelined with a torn meniscus in his left knee. (Stephen Brashear / Associated Press)

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Former Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Rafael Palmeiro was suspended 10 days in 2005 after testing positive for a steroid. (Chris Gardner / Associated Press)

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Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Matt Lawton was suspended for 10 days during the 2006 season after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs while with the New York Yankees. (Ed Andrieski / Associated Press)

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Former San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Guillermo Mota was suspended 50 games during the 2007 season for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs while with the New York Mets. He was issued a 100-game suspension in 2012 after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. (Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)

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Former San Diego Padres center fielder Mike Cameron was suspended 25 games in 2008 after testing positive for banned stimulants. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

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San Diego Padres pitcher Edinson Volquez was suspended 50 games in 2010 after failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs while with the Cincinnati Reds.

(Jim Rogash / Getty Images)

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Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games in May 2009 for violating baseball’s drug policy. While with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011, Ramirez avoided a 100-game suspension when he abruptly retired following another drug policy violation. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was suspended for the team’s first 25 games of the 2013 season after testing positive for an amphetamine. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

By Stephen Bailey

July 22, 2013 8:54 PM PT

News of Ryan Braun’s suspension from baseball hit at an interesting time for the Angels — the day after they faced Bartolo Colon.

Like Braun, Colon tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug last season. Braun successfully appealed his case; Colon served a 50-game suspension, then negotiated a new contract with the Oakland Athletics.

Now Colon, 40, reportedly is being investigated by Major League Baseball because he has been linked to the same Biogenesis laboratory in Miami that ultimately sank Braun.

On Sunday, Colon improved his record to 13-3 and lowered his earned-run average to 2.52 by shutting out the Angels, 6-0.

C.J. Wilson didn’t veil his distaste for players who cheat, saying, “Whether it’s this year, last year, a couple years ago — whatever it is, they got away with it for a certain time,” while making it clear he considered Colon one of those players.

Mark Trumbo was more diplomatic, saying, “It’s tough. It’s a tough draw. You just do the best you can on a personal level and let things play out” after going 0 for 3 with a strikeout against Colon.

Trumbo said he hopes and expects cheaters will continue to be caught in testing. Meanwhile, he won’t change the approach he takes at the plate.

“As a hitter you go in ready to attack, take it to someone, [regardless of] if they’re going about it the right way,” he said.

Hamilton hobbled

Josh Hamilton’s right ankle “locked up” on him after the Angels’ loss to the Athletics on Sunday, Manager Mike Scioscia said.

Hamilton was scratched from Monday’s lineup less than a minute after the initial posting. He is now listed as day to day.

Asked when Hamilton suffered the injury, Scioscia said it was after Sunday’s game and not a baseball-related injury. “He wasn’t playing pickup basketball,” Scioscia said. “He was walking around the house.”

Hamilton tested the ankle Monday, Scioscia said, but quickly decided he needed the night off.

Hamilton has only three hits in 23 at-bats in his last six games, with two runs batted in and eight strikeouts.

Short hops

The Angels signed independent league outfielder Cyle Hankerd, who hit .322 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs in 81 games for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He was assigned to double-A Arkansas. Hankerd, who played at West Covina South Hills High and USC, was a third-round pick of Arizona in 2006. He played five years in the Diamondbacks’ system and also spent time with affiliates of the Philadelphia and Chicago White Sox systems.

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Angels sound off on drug cheaters a day after facing Bartolo Colon

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