TEMPE, Ariz. – For 16 days, the Los Angeles Angels waited for Gary Matthews Jr. to respond to allegations linking the outfielder to human growth hormone. Now that Matthews has done so, denying he ever used HGH, the Angels hope they can put the issue to rest. “He was relieved,” manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday. “I think we’re relieved that the release will let us start to move forward and turn the page on this. I think Gary’s statement is a step in that direction.” Matthews allegedly was sent HGH in 2004 from a pharmacy that’s part of a widespread steroid investigation. Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno and commissioner Bud Selig had been pushing Matthews to address the issue, which he finally did Wednesday. “I have never taken HGH — during the 2004 season or any other time,” Matthews said in a statement. “Nobody has accused me of doing so, and no law enforcement authority has said I am a target of any investigation for doing so.” While Matthews’ four-paragraph statement didn’t address how his name could have been linked to the investigation, Moreno was pleased that Matthews finally addressed the issue and that he denied using HGH. “As an organization, we felt it was important for Gary to address the media regarding his situation,” Moreno said in a statement. “Today he honored that request and issued his own statement. Now, it’s time for us to continue our preparation and focus on the season ahead.” HGH was not banned by baseball for players with major league contracts until 2005. This investigation appears to be targeting the suppliers of the substances, not those who might have received anything from the suppliers. General manager Bill Stoneman said the team had no plans to discipline Matthews. He said it was up to the commissioner’s office to determine whether Matthews violated baseball’s drug policy. “My feeling is that as long as this stuff is accurate in what it is and nothing else pops out at some point, we’re fine,” Stoneman said. “But again, the way it works in baseball is there is a policy between the owners and players that governs these things.” Selig said it would be inappropriate to comment while his office is investigating the case. After issuing the statement, Matthews declined to elaborate. He then went out and homered, singled and stole a base in the Angels’ 4-3 exhibition victory over the San Francisco Giants. In the statement, Matthews explained the delay in his denial by saying he and his representatives needed to determine how he got linked to the story. “Before saying anything publicly I wanted to make absolutely sure of my ground,” he said. “In particular, I needed to try to learn whether anybody in authority — in or out of baseball — felt they had reason to accuse me of anything with regard to HGH. If they did, I would have to deal with that. It has taken me, and those representing me, 16 days to make certain that’s not the case. And that is why it has taken longer than I would have preferred to make a public statement.” The Times Union of Albany, N.Y., reported Matthews was listed as a customer of Applied Pharmacy Services in Mobile, Ala., which is under investigation for allegedly being part of a national steroids distribution network. The 32-year-old Matthews, a longtime major league journeyman who had an All-Star season with the Rangers last year, agreed to a $50 million, five-year contract with the Angels in November. A career .263 hitter, he set bests last season with a .313 average, 19 homers and 79 RBIs.

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