Semien reps A's on Hooton board for 3rd year

OAKLAND -- Marcus Semien is proud to be on the advisory board of the Taylor Hooton Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to educating youth about the dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs. Last week, the foundation announced that its advisory board had reached a record 38 members, all active players across Major League Baseball.
This is Semien's third year as the A's representative, taking part in supporting the foundation's "It's All Me" public-service campaign.
"Something that's very important to me is to play the game the right way: clean," Semien said. "That's what this organization is about, is keeping the game clean … It's something that kids need to be aware of: how to train, how to eat right, how to get stronger, better every day the right way."
The foundation was formed in 2004 after Hooton, a high school pitcher, passed away at 17 years of age from use of anabolic steroids. Though the case is extreme, Semien noted using performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids prioritizes short-term benefits over long-term health.
"There's a lot of bad things that come out of using steroids," Semien said. "Not only being suspended in the NCAA or professional baseball, but for your own body as well. There's a lot of people taking drugs -- their health is not great now because of it. Just those short-term goals of getting better, faster. They end up getting sick or just not being healthy later on in life."
Injury updates
Daniel Gossett underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday morning, and it was successful, manager Bob Melvin said.
• Matt Joyce received a second epidural injection for his back and is aiming to be able to take swings soon.
Andrew Triggs (right arm nerve irritation) threw on Wednesday. It was his second time playing catch since being shut down last month.

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