This doesn’t sound good.
We will have to wait for more details to emerge, but anytime you hear “illegal substances” attached to a team member, especially one who is responsible for managing equipment in the clubhouse–the visiting clubhouse, no less–it is more than enough information to raise an eyebrow, or two.
With cheating and sign-stealing dominating the headlines around baseball this offseason, the Angels are likely acting with an abundance of caution over any allegations that could hint at an uneven playing field.
Harkins, who goes by the nickname “Bubba,” has been a fixture in the Angels organization since 1981 when he got his start with the team as a batboy.