Ryan Madson, a reliever for the Los Angeles Angels, openly wonders if human growth hormone (HGH) would help him and others recover from injury. According to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com, the pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery 14 months ago and hasnt been able to complete a rehabilitation originally estimated to take only a year. Madson has spent time with four different doctors around the country but on most days still finds his right elbow to be sore after playing catch. The 32-year-old is now bringing this "taboo" subject to the forefront as a possible means to aid him and others while improving the game. As per Gonzalez, the Angels reliever stated: "If HGH were legal, just in the process of healing, under a doctor's recommendation, in the right dosage, while you're on the [disabled list], I don't think that's such a bad idea -- as long as it doesn't have any lasting side effects,negativeside effects." His words will certainly draw criticism and a polarizing reaction from fans of Major League Baseball, but Madson is maintaining that he has no plans to utilize the substance unless it is made legal and regulated by the league. However, his struggle to recover from … Continue reading →

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) By Spike Eskin PHILADELPHIA (CBS) As the line between what is a performance enhancing drug, and what isnt, continues to blur, professional athletes are faced with the challenge, and the question of whether they should use PEDs becomes more difficult. HGH (human growth hormone) is one of the more high profile PEDs, that has been abused by some players, but could benefit many who are attempting to recover from an injury, or lengthen careers that might be cut short by a degenerative condition. Former Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson believes his case is of the injured player variety. If HGH were legal, Madson told MLB.com, just in the process of healing, under a doctors recommendation, in the right dosage, while youre on the [disabled list], I dont think thats such a bad idea as long as it doesnt have any lasting side effects, negative side effects. Madson has been recovering for over a year from Tommy John surgery. Former major league player David Segui said that HGH helped him immensely, and once suggested it could benefit another Phillies player who has had injury problems over the last few years. Segui was one of the players originally … Continue reading →

Injured Los Angeles Angels reliever Ryan Madson, who hasn't pitched in a game since the 2011 playoffs, told MLB.com recently that he's in favor of human growth hormone (HGH), as long as it's monitored by doctors. The 32-year-old has experienced complications from an elbow reconstruction in the spring of 2012. "If HGH were legal," Madson said, "just in the process of healing, under a doctor's recommendation, in the right dosage, while you're on the [disabled list], I don't think that's such a bad idea -- as long as it doesn't have any lasting side effects, negative side effects." Madson added: "Right now, it's cheating. I've never done anything like that, and I won't." "But I will still believe, even if I get healthy without that, that it should be legal ... for the only purposes to help heal and get players back in the Major Leagues. Because people want to watch them, because of their talents, just to get them back on the field to play. That's it. I think it would be good for the game; I think it would be good for the fans. Fans want to see the best players play, and they want to see the … Continue reading →

Ryan Madson hasn't pitched in a game since October 2011. (USATSI) More MLB: Scoreboard | Standings | Probable Pitchers | Sortable Stats | Odds Right-hander Ryan Madson has not pitched in a game since the 2011 NLDS, when he was still a member of the Phillies. He signed a one-year contract with the Reds the following offseason before blowing out his elbow and requiring Tommy John surgery in spring training. This past offseason he signed another one-year deal, this one with the Angels. Madson, now 32, has yet to pitch for the Angels due to continued complications from his elbow reconstruction. He's dealt with numerous setbacks during the rehab process and isn't particularly close to returning to a big league mound. It has been a long and frustrating process, for sure. While speaking with MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez recently, Madson indicated he is in favor of the use of human growth hormone (HGH) by injured athletes under the watch and prescription of doctors. From Gonzalez's article: "If HGH were legal," Madson said, "just in the process of healing, under a doctor's recommendation, in the right dosage, while you're on the [disabled list], I don't think that's such a bad idea -- … Continue reading →