The president of the World Anti-Doping Agency urged Major League Baseball to adopt its code, which includes a two-year suspension for an athlete's first positive test.

MLB and the players' association have toughened their drug rules three times since their initial agreement in August 2002, and MLB executive vice president for labor relations Rob Manfred quickly dismissed criticism by WADA president John Fahey, calling him "sadly misinformed."

The current policy calls for 50-game suspensions for first offenses, 100-game penalties for second offenses and lifetime bans for third violations.

WADA specifies a lifetime ban for a second offense.

"MLB, the players and all those involved in the league need to clearly demonstrate that they are committed to ridding their sport from doping," Fahey said in a statement yesterday. "With recent cases, investigations and revelations, including in recently published books, the evidence is indisputable that doping remains an entrenched issue in baseball."

The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez said in February he used steroids from 2001-03 while with Texas. He made the admission following a Sports Illustrated report he tested positive during baseball's anonymous 2003 survey test, which didn't carry any penalties.

Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez returned last Friday from a 50-game suspension that was based on evidence he used human chorionic gonadotropin, a fertility drug that's banned by baseball.

Commissioner Bud Selig and union head Donald Fehr have repeatedly said they are satisfied with the sport's drug rules.

PLAYERS UNION

WEINER APPROVED TO REPLACE FEHR AS LEADER

Michael Weiner has been approved unanimously by the Major League Baseball Players Association executive board to succeed Donald Fehr as the union's head.

The board decided during a conference call Tuesday to put the decision to a vote of its full membership.

Weiner was hired by the union as a lawyer in 1988 and became general counsel, its No. 3 position, five years ago. The union said it anticipates Weiner will take over from Fehr after the season.

ELSEWHERE

Home run derby: Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau says he has declined an invitation to participate in the All-Star Game Home Run Derby, which will be held Monday in St. Louis. He says he wants to rest and would prefer to watch. Morneau won last year's competition at Yankee Stadium, but that was overshadowed by Josh Hamilton's record 28 homers in the first round.

White Sox: Right-hander Bartolo Colon, whose whereabouts had been uncertain a day earlier, is now expected to join Chicago's Triple-A team in Charlotte and make his scheduled injury rehab start tomorrow, a spokesman said. White Sox general manager Ken Williams said Tuesday the team wasn't sure where Colon was.

In the courts: Former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra has sought bankruptcy protection in Los Angeles, citing more than $31 million in debts. Federal court documents show Dykstra filed for Chapter 11 status Tuesday. He listed assets of $50,000 or less and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million.

Marlins: Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is still sidelined for Florida. Ramirez is scheduled to start for the National League in next week's All-Star game in St. Louis. But he missed his fourth straight game yesterday with a right hip flexor.

Blue Jays: Toronto released one-time closer B.J. Ryan and activated current closer Scott Downs from the 15-day disabled list. Ryan has struggled this season, going 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA.