Posted at 1:40 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2007
'Rays' Salas suspended 50 games for failed drug test
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Tampa Bay relief pitcher Juan Salas was suspended for 50 games today after becoming the first player this year to flunk a drug test under Major League Baseball's testing program.Salas tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, the commissioner's office said. His suspension will start tomorrow.
There were just three suspensions last year under the major league program: New York Mets pitcher Yusaku Iriki, former Arizona pitcher Jason Grimsley and Mets reliever Guillermo Mota, who is serving his 50-game penalty at the start of this season.
Salas, a 28-year-old right-hander, is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in 15 appearances this season. He will lose about one-third of his $382,000 salary.
"The Tampa Bay Devil Rays fully support Major League Baseball's drug testing policy. We will do all we can to help Juan get his career headed back on a positive course," the team said in a statement.
