Volquez suspended 50 games for PEDs

[redsfan28]

Cincinnati Reds' Edinson Volquez fails test, gets suspended - MLB - SI.com

I would assume that the suspension would take place after he returns from Tommy John rehab.

Reds fans, react

[redsfan28]

I was wrong, suspension is effective immediately. Go figure.

[griffeyfan3]

So basically the suspensions going to be taking place while he is recovering from tommy john?

[redsfan28]

Yep.

And Volquez said the result was due to meds he took for "family planning." What???

[Kingdom]

He's pregnant!

[missionhockey21]

Honestly, it's disheartening. I tend to believe his story, as it does seem plausible, but whether he was doing it for that reason unknowingly or to gain a performance advantage, he still broke the rules and he deserves the two months without pay he'll get as he should have been more careful if he truly was taking this medication for that reason. It honestly isn't a huge deal, given the circumstances, but it is a bit of a black eye for a team and a player of his caliber.

Here is what he said in the presser:

“Prior to the conclusion of last season, my wife and I sought medical advice in Cincinnati with the hope of starting a family. As part of my consultation with the physician, I received certain prescribed medications to treat my condition. As a follow up to our original consultation, my wife and I visited another physician in our home city in the Dominican Republic this past off-season. This physician also gave me certain prescribed medications as part of my treatment. Unfortunately, I now know that the medication the physician in the Dominican gave me is one that is often used to treat my condition, but is also a banned substance under Major League Baseball’s drug policy. As a result, I tested positive when I reported to spring training.

“Although I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and have chosen not to challenge my suspension, I want to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident involving my genuine effort to treat a common medical issue and start a family. I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career. I am embarrassed by this whole situation and apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Reds Organization for being a distraction and for causing them any difficulty. I simply want to accept the consequences, learn from the mistake, and continue to strive to be the best person and baseball player I can be.”

Cincinnati.Com | Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati Reds

[DirtyKash]

Wow. Volquez is quite eloquent in English. Who knew.

[HollywoodLeo]

I tend to believe his story, as it does seem plausible,

Crap. Now you're going to have realmofotalk on your case for the next 3 years.

[realmofotalk]

Crap. Now you're going to have realmofotalk on your case for the next 3 years.

How cute. You're still so defensive over the backlash that poor Shawne Merriman was subjected to after popping for an actual steroid that you have to ***** about a double standard every time any other pro athlete gets suspended for a wholly unrelated so-called PED.

For instance, some of you idiots at the UT are still trying to equate Julius Peppers' use of ephedra, a freaking dietary supplement (a banned one, but nevertheless a non-steroid), to Shawne's case.

[HollywoodLeo]

It's less about Merriman and more about your obsessive nature over little things such as me pointing out that Merriman's story was plausible (which isn't the same as saying it's true or even likely)

[realmofotalk]

It's not about Shawne Merriman? Puh-lease.

Merriman is the only reason you enter these discussions and pretend to care that a MLB/NFL player on another team in a similar situation is not getting a perceived fair shake by his critics, all so you can tie it back to what Merriman did.

[missionhockey21]

Wow. Volquez is quite eloquent in English. Who knew.

Thanks DK for getting my first laugh of the day out of the way.