Baseball could have a blood test available for detecting human growth hormone by as early as next season, according to a report in USA Today.

The paper quotes a UCLA doctor and Major League Baseball consultant as saying he is "cautiously optimistic," about the availability of the test, which has been developed in connection with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The test was used on a limited basis in the 2004 and '06 Olympics, the paper says.

The testing would have to be agreed to by both MLB and the players union.

On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel says any drugs he received in 2004 were prescribed by a licensed physician to help him recover from reconstructive elbow surgery. Ankiel, whose comeback is one of the great stories of this season, initially acknowledged human growth hormone was among those medications during a brief session with reporters Friday, then refused to list his various prescriptions.

"I'm not going to go into the list of what my doctors have prescribed for me," the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder said when asked specifically whether he had taken HGH as part of his recovery. "I've been through a lot emotionally and physically. There are doctor and patient privileges, and I hope you guys respect those privileges."

The New York Daily News reported in Friday's editions that Ankiel received eight shipments of HGH from January to December 2004 from Signature Pharmacy, under investigation for illegally distributing prescription medications. The performance-enhancing drug was banned by Major League Baseball in 2005, but the league still does not test for it.

Special feature Reuters Stretch run: Breaking down MLB playoff races

Friday afternoon, Ankiel sat beside Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty in the visitors' dugout at Chase Field to answer questions about the newspaper's findings before the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"I respect the integrity of the game," Ankiel said, "and I'm on the same playing level that everybody else is on."

After talking to Ankiel, Jocketty said he was satisfied that nothing improper had occurred.

"Everything was legal," he said. "There was no violation of major league rules. There was no violation of any laws. At this point, if there's anything more to decide, major league baseball will look at it and let us know."

Citing records the newspaper obtained, the Daily News said Ankiel got HGH shipments that included Saizen and Genotropin, two injectable drugs. Florida physician Dr. William Gogan signed Ankiel's prescriptions, providing them through a Palm Beach Gardens clinic called The Health and Rejuvenation Center (THARC), the newspaper reported.

Slide show   Week in Sports Tennis swings, cattle wrestlers, a family golf celebration, and more more photos

The drugs were shipped to Ankiel at the clinic's address, the paper said.

Ankiel said he was aware of the clinic but not Signature Pharmacy.

"I don't know anything about the pharmacy," Ankiel said, "and I don't know anyone there. I've never purchased or ordered anything from that pharmacy."

MLB officials already have said they would like to talk with Ankiel, and he said he would cooperate with any investigation.

"I'll be happy to help and conduct anything that Major League Baseball wants to talk about it," Ankiel said.

The outfielder has been the talk of the league after hitting nine home runs and 29 RBIs since being called up from the minors Aug. 9. He returned to the majors in style, just three seasons after his promising pitching career was in ruins after he inexplicably lost all control on the mound.

"I'm just disappointed," said Ankiel, who homered twice and drove in seven runs in the Cardinals' 16-4 home victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday. "I just don't want it to become a bigger distraction that it already has become. We're in the middle of a pennant race. I just want to be able to go out there and compete at the highest level I can."

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Phillies rally past Mets MRI shows Mets' Wagner has muscle spasms Abreu leads Yankees to another home victory Celizic: For A-Rod, all publicity is good publicity A-Rod moving into entertainment industry? Dice-K, Red Sox shut down Mariners Hall hits another late homer to power Brewers D-backs acquire reliever Rauch from Nationals Astros trade for Wolf from Padres Opinion: Why are Angels good? They have a savior Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: