Oakland's Bartolo Colon suspended 50 games for doping

Posted: Aug 22, 2012 3:11 PM by Andrew Masuda

A's pitcher Bartolo Colon was suspended for 50 games Wednesday after testing positive for testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The suspension, which will be without pay, is effective immediately. It was the second time in a week that a prominent Major Leaguer was suspended for testosterone usage, following the banning of Giants All-Star left fielder Melky Cabrera for using the same substance.

"I apologize to the fans, to my teammates and to the Oakland A's," Colon said in a statement issued by the MLB Players Association. "I accept responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the Joint Drug Program."

The 39-year-old right-hander was 10-9 with a 3.43 ERA in 24 starts and was 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA in his past five outings. He leads the A's in wins, innings pitched and starts.

Oakland, 66-56, has 40 regular-season games remaining on its schedule, including Wednesday afternoon's game against Minnesota. Barring rainouts, Colon will miss those 40 games and the first 10 games of the postseason if the A's advance that far. If they don't, the remainder of the suspension would be served whenever Colon, eligible for free agency, signs another Major League contract.

"The Oakland Athletics are disappointed to learn of today's suspension of pitcher Bartolo Colon," the team said in a statement. "The organization fully supports Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing substances from our game. Per the Basic Agreement, the A's will have no further comment."

Oakland entered Wednesday's action a half-game behind Baltimore for the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Colon had been scheduled to pitch Thursday at Tampa Bay. He will be replaced by Tyson Ross, who will be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.

"We have to look at this game and tomorrow's game," general manager Billy Beane said. "The news filtered out about 10:30 this morning but we have a game to play and I hope the game itself will become the focus."

Colon, the American League Cy Young Award winner in 2005 when he went 21-8 for the Angels, was in his second year after missing the 2010 season due following elbow surgery. He underwent a stem-cell procedure, reportedly reviewed by MLB, and made a comeback last season with the Yankees, going 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA.

The A's signed him as a free agent in January. The 10 wins were his most since his Cy Young season and his ERA was the lowest since 2002, when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians and Montreal Expos.

"I have not spoken to Bartolo," A's manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday. "It is what it is. We certainly don't support the actions."

Brett Anderson's return from Tommy John elbow surgery on Tuesday may prove to be fortuitous. The left-hander pitched seven innings in a winning effort in his 2012 debut.

"You don't know at the time," Melvin said. "We were targeting and excited about his return and I don't know if you can ask for any more than that. I do think that is a boost, getting another top-of-the-rotation guy back."

Colon, the American League Cy Young Award winner in 2005, when he went 21-8 for the Angels, was in his second year after missing the 2010 season due to injury. He spent last season with the Yankees, going 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA.

Five Major Leaguers have been suspended this year for positive tests in violation of the drug program. In addition to Cabera, Giants reliever Guillermo Mota was suspended for 100 games in May following his second career positive, and Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis and free-agent outfielder Marlon Byrd (most recently with the Red Sox) was each suspended for 50 games in June.

"We're all disappointed, not just for the Giants and A's but for baseball," Beane said. "We're fortunate to have depth in starting pitcher and it's time to rely on that depth."