MLBPA head: Treatment better option than suspension for opioids

Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark believes that changes to MLB's drug agreement should focus on treatment, and not suspensions, for players who test positive for opioids.

"We believe wholeheartedly, as we always have, that the treatment option and not discipline is the best route to go," Clark said Wednesday at an annual union meeting with all 30 player representatives, according to Steven Wine of The Associated Press.

Clark also said adding testing for opioids to the drug agreement is under discussion between the MLBPA and the league. He says that change will likely come this offseason.

"I'm pretty confident that’s where we're going," Clark said.

Opioids have been a major talking point around baseball since Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died from an overdose in July. It was later reported the 27-year-old had been abusing oxycodone for years, and that an Angels employee was providing the drug to him.