MLB Roundup: Brewers' Braun regrets lying over PED use
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun reiterated his regret for lying about using performance enhancing drugs that resulted in a 65-game suspension last season from Major League Baseball.
Braun spoke to the media on Wednesday morning after taking food donations near Miller Park and again offered an apology for his actions.
"I'm deeply remorseful about what happened," he told reporters. "I wish I had the ability to go back and change things and do things a lot differently, but unfortunately I can't do that.
"All I can do is move on and try to do everything in my power to earn back peoples' trust and respect and support. I don't anticipate being able to earn back everybody's support, but I certainly intend to do everything in my power to do that and I won't stop trying."
Braun is planning to return for the 2014 season and thinks he will be able to play at the same level that won him the National League MVP award in 2011.
Braun repeatedly said he would not go into specifics but addressed a number of topics.
On the news conference in 2012 when he professed his innocence after a positive drug test that he appealed and won: "I wish that I hadn't done the press conference. It was a big mistake. I deeply regret having done it, and a lot of the things that I said that day."
On fans' reaction when he returns next season: "I don't really know what to expect, but everybody has been extremely supportive and I really appreciate that."
On support from the team: "The Brewers have been incredibly supportive, the entire organization. My teammates, everyone has been incredibly supportive. ... I fully intend to do everything in my power to be the best player and person that I can be moving forward."
On his biggest regret: "Obviously, the whole thing is a huge regret. It was a huge mistake. I wish that I hadn't done it. I wish I could go back and do a lot of things different."
On a possible trade: "Absolutely I want to stay here. I made the long-term commitment because the city has been amazing to me, the fans have been amazing to me, the organization has been incredibly supportive of me, and I fully intend to stay here."
---The Cincinnati Reds reached agreement with left-handed reliever Manny Parra on a new two-year, $5.5 million deal, CBSSports.com reported.
Parra, 31, finished last season with a 2-3 record and a 3.33 ERA in 47 innings for the Reds as a middle reliever.
In six major-league seasons, Parra has a 28-36 record with a 4.98 ERA while working 559 innings.
---Veteran left-hander Ted Lilly told a Venezeulan newspaper his baseball career is over.
Lilly hoped to prove that he could still pitch by going to the Venezuelan Winter League after undergoing a spinal procedure to cauterize nerve endings on the right side of his neck.
But neck and shoulder pain persisted and Lilly decided to retire, he told the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal.
"My body in general is telling me that I can't take any more," said Lilly, 37. "I feel like I don't have the ability to continue at the major league level."
Lilly said he might consider coaching in the future, but his short-term plans are to spend time with his family.
