San Diego Padres: Catcher Yasmani Grandal Suspended 50 Games for Testosterone

According to reports from around the web, Yasmani Grandal has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for testosterone, a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Grandal was dealt to the San Diego Padres along with Edinson Volquez and Yonder Alonso in exchange for Mat Latos.

Grandal played well in his 60 games with the Padres, slashing .297/.394/.469 and chipping in eight home runs along with 36 RBI and 28 runs scored in just 192 at-bats.

Grandal was named the 53rd-best prospect in the majors by Baseball America prior to the 2012 season and looked to be well on his way to surpassing the expectations the Padres had for him.

The 23-year-old catcher became the third player to test positive for PEDs following Melky Cabrera and, most recently, Bartolo Colon.

The suspension leaves the Padres with Nick Hundley and John Baker as alternatives to pick up the slack for Grandal, who was to be the Padres starting catcher in 2013.

According to MLB.com, Grandal gave the obligatory apology, stating, “I apologize to the fans, my teammates, and to the San Diego Padres.” Grandal went on to say, “I was disappointed to learn of my positive test and under the Joint Drug Program, I am responsible for what I put into my body. I must accept responsibility for my actions and serve my suspension.”

The Padres later released a statement:

“We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Yasmani Grandal for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outlined by Major League Baseball’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, we will not comment further on this matter”

Sounds like Grandal won’t appeal his suspension and the Padres will be without him for 50 games.

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