FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – At least six players on the World Series champion Boston Red Sox were tested Thursday as part of major league baseball’s program to curb steroid use.

Team vice president Mike Port said six to 12 players were tested but he was not allowed to give out names. He was contacted Wednesday night by the independent company handling the tests and told they would be conducted the following day.

“We never get the results,” Port said. “I guess, as best I know, the only news that a club might get is that which might be less than desirable. Otherwise, no news is good news.”

Players from several other teams already have been tested.

Under baseball’s new steroid program, which still has not been finalized, first-time offenders are suspended for 10 days without pay.

“There might be some relief from a majority of the players,” manager Terry Francona said. “Let’s prove, I guess, their innocence. But I didn’t see anybody panic in there. I didn’t expect to.”

Pitcher Curt Schilling, who has been outspoken about steroid use, was subpoenaed to testify March 17 before a congressional committee with six other current and former players.

He was unavailable for comment on Thursday. On Wednesday, after he was invited to testify voluntarily but before the subpoenas were issued, he said, “I think they asked me because I have an opinion. I think it’s pointless because I don’t think this is about opinions.”

Johnny Damon, Boston’s player representative, supports the testing program agreed to by the commissioner’s office and the players’ association. He said he wasn’t tested Thursday.

“The game really needs to earn its credibility back,” he said. “It’s going to be good for this game, but, most importantly, it’s going to make us aware that we can’t cheat in this game and we have to play on an even playing field. Hopefully, kids can see that, too, and say, “hey, we can’t get away with it either. That’s the most important thing.”

On Thursday morning, Port received the list of players to be tested and said all cooperated. Additional Red Sox players will be tested later.

“I’m glad this is happening because I’ve heard so much, read so much that I know is not true,” Francona said. “This is the best way to do it. Just go ahead and test people. Then it takes that conjecture out because right now everybody’s guessing.”