Cleveland Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd has been caught using PEDs, according to a source.
The Cleveland Indians began the season with news that outfielder Abraham Almonte would be suspended for 80 games due to PED use. Now an already thin outfield will be losing another player.
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
Marlon Byrd will be joining Almonte in the realm of PED suspensions, but his penalty will be much worse, with the suspension confirmed by Ken Rosenthal.
Source: #Indians’ Byrd suspended 162 games. Did not appeal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 1, 2016
This is Byrd’s second time being caught, which results in a 162-game suspension. At this point in the 38-year old’s career, it may be the end.
Byrd is hitting .270 this season for the Indians, helping fill in for the injured Michael Brantley and the suspended Almonte.
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The suspension means rookie Tyler Naquin will likely be called up once again, while Rajai Davis and Lonnie Chisenhall will help fill out the outfield.
Byrd made his MLB debut back in 2002 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies and has played on ten teams during his career. His current stint with the Indians was seemingly one where he would end his career while helping a team make attempt a title run, but that is no longer the case.
A 162-game suspension at the age of 38 is a death sentence for any player, especially one who has never been a star in the league.
Indians fans may be excited to have Naquin return, but having it come under these circumstances is tough to see. A career is ending because of a stupid decision, with a three strikeout performance likely being Byrd’s last time on a professional baseball field.
Next: Blue Jays acquire Jason Grilli from Braves
There are some who may consider the punishments handed down by MLB to be harsh, but after dealing with the steroid scandal a decade ago, the league is making a point by punishing those who cheat and making it clear there is no place for that in today’s game.