Robin Ventura: 'Natural reaction' to question any bulkier players after testing break

It was learned Monday that MLB stopped testing players for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs after the sport's Joint Drug Program expired, along with the collective bargaining agreement, in the final seconds of Dec. 1 ahead of the beginning of the ongoing lockout that threatens the scheduled start of spring training set for Feb. 16. 

Former slugger Robin Ventura played from 1989 through 2004 and, thus, is no stranger to the so-called "steroids era." During a Tuesday media event related to the New York Mets scheduling the return of Old Timers' Day for later this summer, Ventura explained he'd understand if some would question players looking bulkier than normal whenever testing resumes after the lockout. 

"I think that would just be a natural reaction," Ventura said, per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "I think even when there was testing, somebody showed up big, I think people still questioned that. So I don't see any reason why that would change."

United States Anti-Doping Agency chief executive officer Travis Tygart said Monday one fear is that players could "microdose" testosterone while away from clubs during the work stoppage. MLB and the MLB Players Association first agreed to a testing program in late 2002. 

According to reports, MLB and the MLBPA have no meetings regarding the lockout scheduled for this week, so conversations about what some players may or may not be putting into their bodies at this point of the standoff likely matter little in the grand scheme of things.