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Orioles player suspended for steroids

Rafael Palmeiro was suspended for 10 days Monday for violating Major League Baseball`s steroids policy, nearly five months after the Baltimore Orioles first baseman told Congress, "I have never used steroids. Period."

The 40-year-old is the seventh player to test positive for steroids under the policy adopted this year. On July 15, he joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

In remarks prepared for a conference call Monday, Palmeiro - the highest-profile player to fail a test - said he had never intentionally taken steroids and could not explain how the drugs got into his body. He also apologized and said would accept his punishment.

"I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period," he said. "Ultimately, although I never intentionally put a banned substance into my body, the independent arbitrator ruled that I had to be suspended under the terms of the program."

A grievance filed by the players` union against the suspension was denied.