Another year, another former All-Star suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Last year it was Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez who was suspended for 50 games, and yesterday it was Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez who was suspended.
Obviously Volquez’s suspension isn’t as big of news as Manny being suspended, but it’s still pretty significant nonetheless.
Here is the statement that was released by Volquez’s representatives:
"Prior to the conclusion of last season, my wife and I sought medical advice in Cincinnati with the hope of starting a family. As part of my consultation with the physician, I received certain prescribed medications to treat my condition.
"As a follow up to our original consultation, my wife and I visited another physician in our home city in the Dominican Republic this past off-season. This physician also gave me certain prescribed medications as part of my treatment.
"Unfortunately, I now know that the medication the physician in the Dominican gave me is one that is often used to treat my condition, but is also a banned substance under Major League Baseball’s drug policy. As a result, I tested positive when I reported to Spring Training."
In terms of what this means to the Reds and Volquez on the field? Nothing really. Volquez is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn’t expected to return until mid-July at the earliest.
Volquez’s 50-game suspension ends on June 13.
Off the field, well, that is a different story. Volquez will not be paid during the suspension, meaning it will cost him about $137,000 of his $445,000 salary. That certainly hurts.
For his career, Volquez is 24-19 with a 4.37 ERA in five seasons with the Texas Rangers and Reds. Volquez had a breakout season in 2008 when he was an All-Star and went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA and struck out 206 in 196 innings.
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