Giants Outfielder Melky Cabrera Suspended 50 Games
San Francisco (CBSNewYork) -- San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera has been suspended by Major League Baseball for 50 games after testing positive for testosterone. The suspension is effective immediately.
The following statement has been released by Cabrera through the MLB Players' Association:
"My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down."
The San Francisco Giants released a statement after learning of Cabrera's suspension:
"We were extremely disappointed to learn of the suspension of Melky Cabrera for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program. We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outline by Major League Baseball's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Giants will not comment further on this matter."
Cabrera's surge in production is a a huge reason why the San Francisco Giants are tied atop the National League West.
Through 113 games, Cabrera is batting .346 with 11 homer runs and 60 RBI. He was voted the MLB All-Star Game's Most Valuable Player in Kansas City.
Before his suspension was announced, Cabrera was leading all major leaguers with 159 hits.
He will miss the Giants' 45 remaining regular season games and their first five playoff games, should the Giants make the playoffs. Any remaining games will carry over to the 2013 season. Cabrera will not earn any of his $6 million dollar annual salary during the length of his suspension.
Earlier today, the Commissioner's office announced Cabrera's suspension.
"The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera has received a 50-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The suspension of Cabrera is effective immediately."
The Giants have been one of the most PED-linked teams in Major League Baseball since the findings of the "Steroid Era" emerged. Home run champion Barry Bonds became central figure of the highly-publicized BALCO scandal.
Cabrera previously denied rumors of using performance-enhancing drugs. A writer from CSN Bay Area, Andrew Baggarly apologized to Cabrera after rumors of his PED use emerged.
Now, Cabrera is the one doing the apologizing to the Giants' organization and fans of Major League Baseball.
He is also an upcoming free agent this off-season and will have significantly damaged his market value after testing positive for testosterone.
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