Phillies' Galvis suspended for PEDs
Freddy Galvis fields the ball in the sixth inning of a game against the Miami Marlins. (June 3, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
Phillies second baseman Freddy Galvis has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, MLB's public relations department announced from its verified twitter account.
The suspension is effective immediately.
Galvis was hitting .226 with three home runs and 24 RBIs in 58 games this season, his first in the majors.
Galvis issued the following statement:
“A trace amount of a banned substance -- 80 parts in a trillion -- was detected in my urine sample. I am extremely disappointed in what has transpired. I cannot understand how even this tiny particle of a banned substance got into my body. I have not and never would knowingly use anything illegal to enhance my performance. I have always tried to follow the team's strength and conditioning methods, listen to the trainers, work out hard and eat right. Unfortunately, the rules are the rules and I will be suspended.
“I'd like to apologize to my all my fans, especially here in Philadelphia and back home in Venezuela, to my teammates and to the Phillies organization. I am looking forward to putting this behind me, rehabilitating my back and returning to the Phillies as soon as possible to try to help them win another World Series.”
The Phillies issued a statement of their own:
"The Phillies continue to believe in and endorse Major League Baseball's drug policy. We also support Freddy Galvis in his determination to put this matter behind him and we look forward to his return as a productive member of the Phillies as soon as possible."
Galvis was diagnosed with a pars fracture in his lower back on June 13, and was expected to be in a brace for at least three weeks.
The news of Galvis' suspension means their second second baseman of the season has been sidelined. Galvis got his chance this season because regular second baseman Chase Utley has been on the disabled list since spring with chronic soreness in his knees. He's currently playing in rehab games.
The Phillies have infielders Michael Martinez, Hector Luna and Mike Fontenot still on their roster.
