As Major League Baseball continues to come down for performance-enhancing drugs, another player was revealed as a "cheater" on Wednesday. The league suspended Cleveland Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd 162 games for the use of PEDs. This is the second time in his career that he has tested positive, also doing so in 2012.
The 38-year-old's suspension is without pay and the league says it is effective immediately. He was a free agent the last time he was caught, and received a 50-game ban then after testing positive for Tamoxifen.
Byrd did release a statement regarding his suspension, claiming that the drugs he used in 2012 was from the advice of a doctor. He claims the same for the second incident, stating "I had no intention of taking any banned substances."
Players around the league are not having it, included recently-retired pitchers Dan Haren and Jeremy Guthrie being outspoken out Twitter. Haren wrote "can I get back all the home runs he hit off me please?" And Guthrie added on social media "Marlon Byrd is a joke. All you cheaters are a joke. Do it the right way one time, accept your ups & downs."
Current Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has been outspoken in the past when Dee Gordon was suspended, but simply tweeted out a mad face emoji at this incident.
Byrd left the team after a Tuesday night loss to the Rangers, but did not tell them about the suspension until Wednesday morning when he called manager Terry Francona. He was hitting .270 with five home runs and 19 RBIs this season after signing a minor-league deal with Cleveland.
The outfielder is a career .275 hitter, and has at least 20 homers and 70 runs batted in each of the past three seasons. This situation might mark the end of his career, and judging by the reaction of the players, he may not be welcomed back.
The 38-year-old's suspension is without pay and the league says it is effective immediately. He was a free agent the last time he was caught, and received a 50-game ban then after testing positive for Tamoxifen.
Byrd did release a statement regarding his suspension, claiming that the drugs he used in 2012 was from the advice of a doctor. He claims the same for the second incident, stating "I had no intention of taking any banned substances."
Players around the league are not having it, included recently-retired pitchers Dan Haren and Jeremy Guthrie being outspoken out Twitter. Haren wrote "can I get back all the home runs he hit off me please?" And Guthrie added on social media "Marlon Byrd is a joke. All you cheaters are a joke. Do it the right way one time, accept your ups & downs."
Current Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has been outspoken in the past when Dee Gordon was suspended, but simply tweeted out a mad face emoji at this incident.
Byrd left the team after a Tuesday night loss to the Rangers, but did not tell them about the suspension until Wednesday morning when he called manager Terry Francona. He was hitting .270 with five home runs and 19 RBIs this season after signing a minor-league deal with Cleveland.
The outfielder is a career .275 hitter, and has at least 20 homers and 70 runs batted in each of the past three seasons. This situation might mark the end of his career, and judging by the reaction of the players, he may not be welcomed back.
