NEW YORK (AP) — National League MVP Ryan Braun has tested positive for a banned substance and is appealing to avoid a 50-game suspension, according to people familiar with the case.
ESPN cited two sources Saturday in first reporting the result, saying the Milwaukee Brewers slugger tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone, adding that a later test by the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal determined that it was synthetic.
Additional Photos
A spokesman for Braun said in a statement issued to ESPN and The Associated Press that “there are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan’s complete innocence.”
“There was absolutely no intentional violation of the program,” Matthew Hiltzik said in a statement sent by the All-Star left fielder’s representatives.
“While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident that he will ultimately be exonerated,” he said.
Major League Baseball does not announce positive tests and penalties in drug cases until all arbitration is settled.
The case is still being appealed to an arbitrator under MLB’s drug program, a person familiar with the situation told the AP. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the appeal is still ongoing. The person said Braun and others involved in the appeals process have known about the positive test since late October.
If suspended, Braun wouldn’t be eligible to play for the NL Central champions until May 31 at Dodger Stadium, barring any postponements. He would miss the first 57 days of the major league season, losing about $1.87 million of his $6 million salary.
Under MLB’s drug program, if a player appeals a first positive test for a performance-enhancing substance, an announcement isn’t made until after a decision. Appeals usually are heard by arbitrator Shyam Das.
The 28-year-old Braun hit .312 with 33 homers and 111 RBIs this year and led Milwaukee to the NL championship series, where the Brewers lost to the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.
Braun already was signed through 2015 when the Brewers gave him a new deal running through 2020 that added $105 million and guaranteed him a total of $145.5 million over a decade.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.