After Phillies pitcher Daniel Stumpf was suspended 80 games for a violation of the joint drug agreement in Major League Baseball, we learned that more suspensions were pending in coming weeks. The first name appears to have surfaced and he had Phillies ties twice over. Also twice over is the positive test.
Vince Grzegorek of Cleveland Scene reports that it is none other than twice-a-Phillie Marlon Byrd:
Source: Tribe's Marlon Byrd tested positive for PEDs, again. Previously suspended 50 games after testing positive in 2012. Announcement soon
— Vince Grzegorek (@vincethepolack) June 1, 2016
Byrd's second test would mean a 162-game suspension and likely the end of his career.
The Phillies drafted Byrd in the 10th round of the 1999 draft, and after overcoming many medical issues that included a near-amputation of his leg, Byrd worked himself into a prospect. Byrd made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 2002. After disappointing seasons in 2003 and 2004, the Phillies traded Byrd just a week into the 2005 season for outfielder Endy Chavez.
Byrd found himself and hit his stride with the Texas Rangers and then the Chicago Cubs, with whom he made a National League All-Star appearance in 2010. After a disappointing start to the 2012 season, Byrd was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he then soon received a 50-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. Byrd's career appeared over before resurrecting it with the Mets in 2013.
The Phillies signed Byrd as a free agent prior to the 2014 season, and he batted .264 with 25 home runs and 85 runs batted in. The Phillies then traded Byrd to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Ben Lively. Byrd hit 23 home runs and drove in 74 runs in 2015 between the Reds and the San Francisco Giants, but had trouble finding a team this past offseason. The Cleveland Indians signed Byrd late and is hitting .270 with five home runs.
The suspension for a second offense under the current drug agreement is a 162-game suspension. That could mean the end of his career for the 38 year-old Byrd. While a member of the Phillies, Byrd blamed the suspension on breast reduction medication.
In a 15-year career, Byrd has a .275 average with 159 home runs 710 runs batted in.
UPDATE: The Cleveland Indians have confirmed that Byrd has received a 162-game suspension.
