Levine: Jake Arrieta Has Heard PED Rumors, Calls For Tougher Drug Testing

By Bruce Levine --

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Arguably the best pitcher in baseball and amid a historic stretch, Cubs ace Jake Arrieta has heard the whispers around the game. Continuing to dominate hitters like nobody ever has, Arrieta has heard that some in the game believe he's using performance-enhancing drugs.

Arrieta on Tuesday didn't blow up when asking about rumors of cheating. Instead, he expressed support for tougher drug policies and a no-tolerance rule in baseball for cheaters.

"It's apparent guys are still trying to take things," said Arrieta, who will take a 4-0 mark and 0.87 ERA into his start against the Brewers on Wednesday. "I think it's unfortunate, and I think guys will continue to do so unless the penalty is stiffer."

This doesn't sound like a PED user, does it? Arrieta went on to call for Major League Baseball and the Players Association to get tougher with players who cross the line.

"I personally don't think that guys should get multiple chances when they fail a steroids test," Arrieta said. "The fine print has to be ironed out. It has to be circumstantial. I would hate for somebody to take something unknowingly and after due process, maybe it wasn't what they thought it was. If it's a blatant attempt to cheat the system with a series of steroids, yes maybe so. Then if you're willing to put your career in peril, than you're willing to take that chance."

Arrieta has as tough a workout regime as there is in baseball. H's fanatical about his workouts and the food and liquid he puts into his body.

"If people question my work ethic, that is fine," Arrieta said. "I know what I am doing behind the scenes. Like I said, it is somewhat flattering, especially when some of those (PED) comments are coming from the best players in the game."

Drug testing for major league players is done regularly and randomly for all players. That includes Arrieta, who has been tested this season.

"People like that probably don't appreciate hard work," Arrieta said about any disbelief in his incredible streak of excellence. "Maybe they expect things to be easy and that things just fall into your lap, without putting in the time and effort. A lot goes into it. The sacrifices you make, including time away from your family. The nutrition and training is a big part of it. The hardest part of my year is the offseason. You get a couple of weeks off, then it's back to work."

Asked flat out about the rumors saying he's cheating, Arrieta didn't dodge the question.

"It's flattering to hear that," Arrieta said. "I know I have never taken any shortcuts. I don't ever to intend to."

The record speaks for itself. Arrieta has thrown two no-hitters in his last 11 regular-season starts dating back to last summer. He has thrown 24 consecutive quality starts, and his record over that time frame is 20-1 with a 0.86 ERA, dating back to June 21 of last season.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.