Alex Sanchez of Tampa Bay Devil Rays was suspended for 10 days.
The article is from ESPN.com:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Alex Sanchez was suspended 10 days for violating Major League Baseball's new drug policy, the first player publicly identified under baseball's tougher rules.
Major League Baseball announced the suspension Sunday. It begins on Monday.
Sanchez said he was surprised by the suspension, adding that he uses milkshakes and multivitamins to build his energy -- and blaming the positive test on something he bought over the counter.
"I'm going to fight it, because I've never taken steroids or anything like that," Sanchez said.
Sanchez said he was drug tested while he was with the Tigers.
It has been an emotional month for Sanchez. The center fielder was reunited with his mother for the first time in 11 years in mid-March. Five days later, he was released by the Tigers.
Sanchez had frustrated Detroit with his sloppy play in the field in the past, and did again during spring training.
Sanchez left Cuba on a raft 11 years ago, leaving his family behind. On March 10, Sanchez reunited with his mother and brother in Miami, where he has a house with his wife and twin boys. Sanchez's mother and brother escaped from Cuba by boat and spent time in Mexico and Texas before traveling by bus to Miami.
Besides Sanchez's defensive shortcomings, he also struggled to get on base when a bunt or single didn't get him on first base -- a big problem for a leadoff hitter. In 365 games, he has drawn 68 walks. His career batting average is .292 over four seasons in the majors with a .327 on-base percentage.
Sanchez batted .322 in last season, but his on-base percentage was just .335 because he walked just seven times and he played just 79 games because of leg injuries.
In 2003, he stole 52 bases in 101 games with the Tigers and 43 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Sanchez had a $1.35 million, one-year contract that was not guaranteed. By releasing him before March 18, the Tigers owe 30 days' termination pay, $221,311, instead of 45 days' termination pay, $331.967.
First steroid suspension in baseball
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Well, now you know why he lead the league in bunt hits last year. Before steroids, his bunts would probably just dropped right in front of the box and he was alway thrown out by the catcher. Last year, with steriods, his bunts went another 3 or 4 feet which gave him time to beat it out. Fear the Roids... it's not just for homeruns anymore.
Tadpole wrote:He is a starting center fielder. He is actually a decent hitter. Had, what, 21 bunt hits last season (which lead the league)? He is a great lead off hitter.
He's a fucking terrible leadoff hitter: he has a career OBP of .327. .327! He runs well, but he never met a bad pitch he didn't like, as he strikes out almost three times as often as he walks. Not good signs in a leadoff hitter.
To quote the Crank's brother, "We can only guess how many of Sanchez's two home runs might have been the result of steroids... " He actually has four, but why ruin a good quote with accuracy?