Padres’ OF Cameron Maybin suspended 25 games
The San Diego Padres have gone through quite a few changes in the last 24 hours. Chase Headley was traded to the New York Yankees, Jeff Francoeur was called up to the big league club and now outfielder Cameron Maybin has officially been suspended for 25 games.
Maybin tested positive for amphetamines. He maintains that they were used only for a medical condition and that he was not attempting to cheat in any way. This is Maybin’s second offense, however. Under MLB’s joint drug agreement, players who test positive the first time will be subject to further testing while a second positive test results in a 25-game suspension.
He released a statement through the Major League Baseball Player’s Association (MLBPA) yesterday,
"“I have been undergoing treatment for several years for a medical condition, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), for which I previously had a Therapeutic Use Exemption [TUE]. Unfortunately, in my attempts to switch back to a medicine that had been previously ok’d, I neglected to follow all the rules and as a result I tested positive. I want to assure everyone that this was a genuine effort to treat my condition and I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career. I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and I will take my punishment and will not challenge my suspension. I apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Padres organization. I look forward to returning to the field and contributing to the success of my club.”"
Maybin is in his eighth big league season and has spent time with the Detroit Tigers, the, then, Florida Marlins and now the Padres. He’s a career .248 hitter with 32 career home runs and 92 stolen bases. He had 40 steals in 2011. His numbers have dropped in recent years, mostly due to injury. He only played in 14 games last seasons and started this season on the DL with a torn biceps muscle.
Before incurring these injuries, the Padres signed Maybin to a 5-year $25 million contract before the 2012 season. If he stays healthy and avoids getting suspended he could be an excellent source of speed in the Padres lineup.
Maybin, 27, is hitting .247 with a .654 OPS in 62 games this season. He only has three stolen bases on the year and just 9 RBI. Hopefully for the Padres he will pick up the pace a little upon his return.
Maybin’s agent Brian Goldberg said that Maybin will address the media and the public after his 25 game suspension has been served.