When Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro returned from a suspension for steroid use earlier this month, Sidney Ponson wrapped his arm around his pensive teammate and offered his support. Palmeiro returned the favor Friday -- in a figurative sense. One day after Ponson was arrested for drunken driving -- his second such charge this year -- Palmeiro said, "I'm not going to sit here and crucify him. The one thing I'm going to do is stand by him. He supported me and I'm going to do the same for him. We all make mistakes; we're here to help him." Palmeiro couldn't embrace Ponson because the pitcher was granted a day off by the Orioles, who are still trying to figure out the best course of action for dealing with the right-hander's mounting alcohol-related problems. Orioles vice presidents Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan, who met with owner Peter Angelos on Thursday after Ponson was arrested, declined to talk with the media for a second straight day Friday. "They're still assessing the situation, gathering facts and everything else," Orioles spokesman Bill Stetka said. "It would be premature to say anything at this time."