Coroner: Ephedra linked to Bechler's heatstroke

— -- FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The diet supplement ephedracontributed to the heatstroke that killed Baltimore Orioles pitcherSteve Bechler, a medical examiner said Thursday.

Toxicology tests confirmed that "significant amounts" of anover-the-counter supplement containing the herb ephedra, along withother factors, led to the heatstroke that killed Bechler on Feb.17, Broward County medical examiner Dr. Joshua Perper said.

Ephedra is banned by many sports leagues but not Major League Baseball.