Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ? The diet supplement ephedra was partly to blame for the heatstroke death of Baltimore pitcher Steve Bechler last month, a medical examiner said Thursday.

Toxicology tests confirmed that “significant” amounts of an over-the-counter supplement containing the herb contributed to the heatstroke, Broward County medical examiner Dr. Joshua Perper said.

The 23-year-old pitching prospect was taking the supplement to lose weight during spring training when he collapsed Feb. 16. He died the next day after his temperature rose to 108.

The analysis showed no alcohol or other drugs in Bechler’s system, other than those used to treat him at a hospital. While the coroner’s findings had been expected, he made one surprising disclosure: Bechler’s autopsy listed his weight at 320 pounds. The Orioles said the 6-foot-2 pitcher weighed 249 a few days before his death.

Commissioner Bud Selig has banned players with minor-league contracts from taking ephedra. Still, major leaguers are allowed to take ephedra.

Perper said he couldn’t say whether Bechler would have died if he hadn’t been taking ephedra. Among the other factors contributing to the heatstroke:

• Bechler was overweight and out of shape.
• He was not accustomed to the humid weather in South Florida.
• He was on a liquid diet.
• He didn’t feel well or eat the night before he collapsed.
• He had high blood pressur