• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, February 28, 2008

Fernando Vina, who failed to be interviewed during preparation of the Mitchell Report that alleged he used performance-enhancing drugs, will continue in a journalistic role as a baseball commentator on ESPN. The veteran of five Major League teams later admitted to using human growth hormone after the report came out.

Vina will return as an analyst on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" in March after joining the network last season. He was on the air last summer the night Barry Bonds broke the all-time home run record, and denied that the achievement was tainted despite allegations that Bonds used steroids.

Vina admitted that he used HGH to recover from injuries in an interview on ESPN several days after the December release of the report examining the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

Before green-lighting his return, ESPN representative Josh Krulewitz said network executives held discussions among themselves and separately with Vina about how his HGH admission would impact his commentary. Those conversations led ESPN, Krulewitz said, to the conclusion that the network is "comfortable he understands what's expected in his role, which is candid analysis in all baseball-related matters, including his perspective on news related to performance-enhancing drugs when relevant."

The network will acknowledge Vina's inclusion in the Mitchell Report and his HGH use on the air when appropriate. Examples could include whether he weighs in on legal issues regarding Bonds or Roger Clemens, or evaluates the on-field performance of admitted HGH user and active New York Yankee Andy Pettitte.

"We would mention his personal history," Krulewitz said.

Vina could provide viewers with some insight into how performance-enhancing drugs are procured and used by Major Leaguers.

Krulewitz declined comment on Vina's contract status, and on whether ESPN signed him to a new deal for 2008 or he might continue under an existing agreement.

ESPN risked some charges of hypocrisy if it opted to end its relationship with Vina. Mike Golic, one of the co-hosts of popular ESPN Radio show "Mike and Mike in the Morning," admitted last fall to using steroids to recover from an injury when he played in the NFL.

The Mitchell Report made allegations that Vina bought steroids and HGH up to eight times between 2000 and 2005 from a former clubhouse attendant for the New York Mets. It also said an attempt was made to present Vina "with information about these allegations and to give him an opportunity to respond" through a meeting with the report's author, former U.S. senator George Mitchell. Vina did not respond to the request, the report said.

During his appearance on ESPN in December, Vina reportedly admitted to using HGH only in 2003, and denied buying steroids from the Mets attendant. He also reportedly said using HGH was "wrong" and he was "embarrassed" by it--and that he was not directly contacted by Mitchell, although he had some information about the matter from his agent.

ESPN has shown a willingness to stick by players mentioned in the Mitchell Report, honoring a deal with Clemens to appear as a top draw at an ESPN event at Disney World. But Clemens eventually declined to participate after his controversial Congressional testimony. The network did pull a promotional spot for Clemens' would-be appearance at what's known as "ESPN The Weekend."

Vina played in the majors from 1993 until 2004 for five teams, including the Mets, and was an All-Star in 1998. In addition to "Baseball Tonight," his commentary is likely to appear on other ESPN TV and radio programming.

Vina is the only former player mentioned in the Mitchell Report who is a member of the group of "Baseball Tonight" commentators.