Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon has been suspended 50 games 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 league announced Wednesday.
“I apologize to the fans, to my teammates and to the Oakland A’s,” Colon said in a statement released by the Major League Baseball Players Association. “I accept responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the Joint Drug Program.”
Colon, who signed with the A’s in the offseason, posted a 10-9 record with a 3.43 ERA in 24 starts. With 40 games remaining in the regular season, Oakland (66-56) is five games back of first-place Texas in the American League West standings and is a half-game behind Tampa Bay and Baltimore in the hunt for the two wild card spots.
The A’s released a statement after the punishment to their right-hander was levied.
“The Oakland Athletics are disappointed to learn of today’s suspension of pitcher Bartolo Colon. 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.”
Colon’s dismissal comes just one week after San Francisco Giants All-Star MVP outfielder Melky Cabrera was served a 50-game suspension for testing positive for the same substance. The Giants since have gone 4-1 and lead the Dodgers by 1.5 games in the National League West heading into Wednesday’s action.
