Jays' Colabello suspended 80 games for PEDs
Blue Jays first baseman/outfielder Chris Colabello has been suspended for 80 games under Major League Baseball’s Joint DrugAgreement for a positive test for a drug that has been ruled performance-enhancing: Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone.
MLB made the announcement Friday afternoon. Under the JDA, a player’s first offense gets him suspended for 80 games (essentially a half season), with the second offense being a full season and the third being a lifetime suspension.
The suspension is without pay and effective immediately.
Colabello has released the following statement:
“On March 13, I got one of the scariest and most definitely the least expected phone calls of my entire life. I was informed by the Players Association that a banned substance was found in my urine. I have spent every waking moment since that day trying to find an answer as to why or how? The only thing I know is that I would never compromise the integrity of the game of baseball. I love this game too much! I care too deeply about it. I am saddened more for the impact this will have on my teammates, the organization and the fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. I hope that before anyone passes judgement on me they can take a look at the man that I am, and everything that I have done to get to where I am in my career.”
Colabello, 32, had a breakout season for the Jays last year, hitting .321/.367/.520 (142 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 15 homers and 54 RBI in just 101 games (360 plate appearances). He wasn’t able to carry it over to this season, however, as he carried a .069/.156/.069 line into Friday’s suspension. He’s 2 for 29 with nine strikeouts.
“This is obviously an unfortunate situation that we are in with Chris,” said Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins in a statement. “We believe in him as a person and player. We also fully endorse the Major league Baseball drug testing policy.
“Chris has overcome a great deal in his career and has been a key contributor to this team. While we are certainly disappointed with today’s news, we’re confident he’ll return ready to compete and will have taken the steps needed to ensure that this does not happen again.”
Justin Smoak now becomes the everyday first baseman for the Blue Jays. Former Yankees and Mariners prospect Jesus Montero is hitting .316/.344/.456 with five doubles and 11 RBI in 15 games for Triple-A Buffalo and has to be a candidate to replace Colabello on the active MLB roster.
Chris Colabello will miss half the 2016 season. (USATSI)
