Chris Colabello had been quite the feel good story for the Toronto Blue Jays last year, as the Independent League veteran had become a bona fide major leaguer. That tale has now entered a dark chapter.
Chris Colabello had toiled for seven years in the Canadian-American Association, spending most of his time with the Worcester Tornadoes as he pursued his dream of playing in the majors. Finally given a chance by the Minnesota Twins in 2012, he reached the majors a year later, showing some power in his limited opportunities, but he appeared to be more of a minor league depth player than a potential contributor on the major league level.
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That changed last year. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed Colabello on waivers after he was released by the Twins, and his career was rejuvenated. Colabello had a breakout season, producing a stellar .321/.367/.520 batting line with 15 home runs in 333 at bats He had become the Blue Jays primary first baseman, a nice ending to the storybook journey he had taken to the majors.
Unfortunately, that story has now entered a dark chapter. After being notified of a failed drug test in March, Colabello has officially been suspended for eighty games, a suspension which is set to start immediately. Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a drug that is classified as a performance enhancer, had been found in his urine sample.
Colabello, for his part, claims that he does not know how that drug entered his body, and that he cares too much about the game of baseball to ever take a PED.
"“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!” Colabello said."
This now leaves the Blue Jays with Justin Smoak as their primary first baseman, a move that may have been in the wings anyway. Colabello has struggled thus far in the 2016 season, posting a .069/.156/.069 batting line with nine strikeouts in 32 at bats. Smoak has not been great, but his .222/.481/.278 batting line does show a lot more production than what Colabello had been able to provide.
It is also possible that the Blue Jays recall Jesus Montero or play Edwin Encarnacion at first. Encarnacion already has four games at first this year, and Montero has preformed well in AAA, posting a .316/.344/.456 batting line with six extra base hits in 57 at bats. Either option could help the Blue Jays production at first over the next eighty games.
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Chris Colabello’s breakout performance for the Toronto Blue Jays last season was a great story. Now, with his PED suspension, questions will linger about how legitimate that performance had been.