Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello handed 80-game ban by MLB
Posted Apr 22, 2016 04:26:05 PM.
Last Updated Apr 22, 2016 05:57:16 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello has been suspended for 80 games.
Major League Baseball says he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
The one-line statement on the verified MLB Twitter account had no other details.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons says he’s disappointed that it happened, adding Colabello is “beloved” in the team’s clubhouse.
Colabello is batting just .069 this season.
He hit .321 for the Blue Jays last year with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs.
“On March 13, I got one of the scariest and most definitely the least expected phone calls of my entire life,” Colabello said in a statement.
“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.”
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins released this statement:
“This is obviously an unfortunate situation that we are in with Chris.
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.”
