Indians’ Marlon Byrd suspended 162 games for PED use
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Cleveland Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd has tested positive for growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin and will be suspended 162 games, the team announced Wednesday.
Byrd will not appeal his suspension, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports.
The positive test is the second for the 38-year-old, who previously tested positive for a breast reduction drug in 2012, just after he had been released by the Boston Red Sox. He served a 50-game suspension, eventually signing with the New York Mets the next season.
He is the second Indians outfielder to be caught using PEDs this year, with Abraham Almonte being hit with an 80-game suspension after a positive test in February.
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Read Byrd’s full statement regarding his suspension below.
“Today, I have accepted a 1 year suspension by Major League Baseball. Recently, I was notified that I had tested positive for Ipamorelin, a peptide prohibited by the JDA. In 2012, I tested positive for the medication Tamoxifen, which I was using on the advice of a physician for a medical condition resulting from surgery, and I accepted my suspension without challenge. Since that time, I have paid close attention to the substances that are banned by the Joint Drug Agreement, as I had no intention of taking any banned substances. I relied upon a medical professional for assistance and advice with respect to the supplements that I was taking. However, certain supplements I was taking were not on the NSF Certified for Sport list, and therefore, I assumed certain risks in taking them. When I learned that I had tested positive for Ipamorelin, I retained the services of private counsel and an independent chemist to determine the origin of the Ipamorelin test result because I never knowingly ingested Ipamorelin. After an extensive investigation by my lawyers and an independent chemist, it was concluded that the most likely source of Ipamorelin was a tainted supplement. I alone am responsible for what I put in my body, and therefore, I have decided for forgo my right to an appeal in this matter and accept the suspension. I apologize for any harm this has caused the Cleveland Indians, Indians’ fans, my teammates, and most importantly, my family.”
In 34 games this season, Byrd was batting .270 with five home runs and 19 RBIs.
