Tempe, Ariz. ? Gary Matthews Jr. ended more than two weeks of silence on Wednesday after being linked to a steroids investigation, denying for the first time that he took human growth hormone.

Matthews allegedly was sent HGH in 2004 from a pharmacy that’s part of a widespread steroid investigation. Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno and commissioner Bud Selig had been pushing Matthews to address the issue, and he finally did 16 days after the first stories came out.

“I have never taken HGH – during the 2004 season or any other time,” Matthews said in a statement. “Nobody has accused me of doing so, and no law enforcement authority has said I am a target of any investigation for doing so.”

Moreno, general manager Bill Stoneman and manager Mike Scioscia all said they were pleased Matthews finally addressed the issue and that he denied using HGH.

“As an organization, we felt it was important for Gary to address the media regarding his situation,” Moreno said in a statement. “Today he honored that request and issued his own statement. Now, it’s time for us to continue our preparation and focus on the season ahead.”

Scioscia said he sensed that Matthews was relieved after issuing the statement through the team Wednesday morning. Matthews then went out and homered in the Angels’ 4-3 exhibition victory over the San Francisco Giants.

HGH was not banned by baseball for players with major-league contracts until 2005. This investigation appears to be targeting the suppliers of the substances, not those who might have received anything from the suppliers.