VIERA, Fla. — In his first words about his inclusion in the Mitchell Report, Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca apologized today for his "mistakes in judgment."

The four-time All-Star was one of more than 80 players cited in baseball investigator George Mitchell's report on drug use in the sport. Lo Duca was to arrive at the team's spring training camp today for a preseason physical.

"In regards to Senator Mitchell's Report, I apologize to my family, all of my fans and to the entire baseball community for mistakes in judgment I made in the past and for the distraction that has resulted," Lo Duca said in a statement released by the Nationals.

The report came out in December, two days after the Nationals announced they signed Lo Duca to a $5 million, one-year contract.

One of the main sources of the report, admitted steroid distributor Kirk Radomski, gave Mitchell's investigators copies of checks he said were from Lo Duca, each in the amount of $3,200. Radomski said those were for human growth hormone.

The report also included handwritten notes from Lo Duca to Radomski, one of which was seized from Radomski's house during a search by federal agents.

"So that I can focus on making positive contributions and avoid creating further distractions, I respectfully decline to comment any further on the content of the Mitchell Report," Lo Duca said in the statement.

He played for the New York Mets the past two years, then moved to the Nationals as a free agent.

Lo Duca, who turns 36 during the first month of the 2008 season, had left knee surgery last month and is expected to miss most of spring training.

In 10 major league seasons with the Dodgers, Marlins and Mets, Lo Duca has batted .288 with 80 homers and 466 RBIs.