Armando Rios concentrating only on making Twins

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- The past? Armando Rios prefers to look forward, far away from the steroid scandal that has become Major League Baseball's burning issue this spring.

"There's probably a good story you can get about [Jose] Canseco," Rios joked as he dressed for Tuesday's workout.

Rios, 33, is trying to make the Twins as a backup outfielder after spending all of last season with two minor league teams and a squad in Tijuana, Mexico.

He prefers to look ahead because his past is somewhat controversial.

In a memo obtained in July by the San Francisco Chronicle, Rios told a federal agent that, in 2003, he obtained performance-enhancing drugs from Greg Anderson, the personal trainer of Giants slugger Barry Bonds. Rios played for the Giants from 1998 to 2001.

He declined to discuss that memo but has said the charges were false and all he did was purchase vitamins from Anderson.

"That's something that people talk about and consider," Rios said. "But people can read and investigate what has happened. That's not about me, and I'm not involved in those claims.

"I happened to be on the team and knew the guy and went to talk to him, and that was it. The papers blew this thing out of proportion. It happened here with one of the players, and nothing else has happened."

Rios is referring to former Twins catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who appeared before a federal grand jury in November during an investigation of the Bay Area Lab Co-Operative. Pierzynski was excused from testifying after he told the grand jury that all he spoke to Anderson about was a workout program, vitamins and a protein mix.

Still, Rios feels it might be more than a coincidence that he didn't play in the majors last season. "I'm sure that had something to do with it," he said.

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan checked out Rios' past, got positive reports in winter ball and heard his explanation.

"I told him that he would have to be accountable," Ryan said. "I told him that it was going to be a subject of interest. If he made any mistakes, let's move on and go forward."

Rios was cut by Florida during training camp last season and signed with Tijuana of the Mexican League. He signed with Baltimore on July 7 and batted .341 in 13 games for Class AAA Ottawa before being sold to St. Louis on July 27. He hit .320 in nine games, then was released.

Of the half dozen teams that showed interest in him during the offseason, the Twins were the most diligent. He said he feels he will get a fair chance to make an impression.

"That's all I ask for, to do my thing," said Rios, a .269 career hitter. "I can play outfield or I can play first base. I just need a chance to show them I am healthy and can do things."

With Lew Ford as the fourth outfielder when he's not the designated hitter, and with Michael Restovich out of options, Rios will need a break to make the team.

He feels comfortable with the Twins because he has played for bench coach Steve Liddle and third base coach Al Newman, two people who are aware of his talents.

There's also a familiar face at the other end of the clubhouse -- reliever J.C. Romero. Romero, five years younger than Rios, carried his bats for him when he played youth baseball at age 16 in Puerto Rico.

"One day, he told me I was his hero," Rios said. "He was short, a lefty hitter who played outfield, and I was successful and going to college [Louisiana State]."

Romero, who gave up a home run to Rios the first time they faced each other in pro ball, is relieved Rios is getting a chance to distance himself from his situation in San Francisco.

"If, at one point, you are hitting behind Barry Bonds, you must be capable of doing some damage," Romero said. "He knows what he's capable of doing. I am comfortable with him making this team and helping us win another pennant."