Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Chooch suspended by MLB

Carlos Ruiz's career year in 2012 can now officially come under suspicion.

Major League Baseball suspended the Phils catcher for 25 games on Tuesday after he tested positive for amphetamines, reportedly the drug Adderall.

Here's the official release: "The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has received a 25-game suspension without pay after testing positive for an Amphetamine in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Ruiz is effective at the start of the 2013 regular season.  He will be eligible to participate in Spring Training, including in Spring Training games."

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. added his own statement: ”The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball’s Drug Program. We are disappointed by the news of this violation of the program.  We will support Carlos in an appropriate manner and move forward to achieve our goal to play championship-caliber baseball in 2013.”

The 33-year-old Panamanian backstop enjoyed a career year for an injury-plagued Phillies club, hitting .325 with 16 home runs, 32 doubles and 68 RBI over 114 games and earning his first career All-Star selection.
Ruiz did miss time with an oblique strain and was also on the sidelines due to plantar fasciitis, which landed him on the disabled list and caused him to miss most of August and part of September.

Ruiz also issued a statement, in both English and Spanish. The English version reads: "I am sincerely regretful for my mistake in taking a prohibited stimulant. I apologize to my teammates, the Phillies organization, and the Philadelphia fans. I will serve the imposed 25-game suspension to begin the season and I look forward to returning to the field and working toward bringing a championship back to Philadelphia in 2013." 

The Phillies are slated to begin their 2013 schedule on April 1 at Atlanta.

No comments: