Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez has been suspended 50 games for using PEDs, reports SI's Jon Heyman. Volquez is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery; he had the procedure on August 3rd of last year. Even with the 50 games off, Volquez will be able to serve the suspension while on the DL – it begins tomorrow. His service time will not be affected, and he'll still be arbitration-eligible after the season.
Volquez released a statement on the matter, saying he received medication in the Dominican Republic prescribed to help with fertility.
Dave4G4e
not another one…
Obscurity
Didn’t see that one coming.
Dave4G4e
me neither
Dave4G4e
It’s probably stuff for his recovery but still, in this era you need to be careful
PRKnight
My words when i heard this…WOW! he’s a good pitcher too, to bad for him
mitch l.
I don’t remember a player that was as big of a name but still not yet through Arb. I mean obviuosly A-rod, Manny, et. were bigger names but they had FA contracts. This could end up being a very closely watch arbitration hearing in order to see how much of a factor the PED suspension plays into how much he makes next year.
Roy Munson
Don’t leave out David Ortiz
nbbaseball51
remember there’s no blood test for HGH and the steroid tests are random. A few minor leaguer’s have been nailed, but that’s about it.
Neither HGH or Anabolic Steroids are very expensive if players choose to take them, its the research that goes into making them “undetectable” that makes them cost a lot.
gigantes2425
what an idiot
zonis
If the Reds were to activate him early, say, now, couldn’t he basically serve his suspension while recovering from TJ?
mitch l.
I guess they could do that, but I believe that he would have to finish his 60 DL stint first becuase I think he has to be on the 40 man roster to serve the suspension and the team can temporarily remove him fron the 40 man if he’s on the 60 day DL.
aap212
It’s the only thing that can stop him from getting any Rookie of the Year votes.
mitch l.
that and the fact that he has almost 3 years of service time.
Guest 3180
Over your head.
aap212
Yeah, you missed the joke. Volquez received actual ROY votes in three straight years.
Jason_F
I’ve read this numerous times in the comments section here and other places, but can’t find anything anywhere that confirms it. I’ve scoured the Baseball Reference awards voting section only to find that he (erroneously) received votes for 2008 NL ROY. Do you have a link that proves otherwise?
aap212
I was incorrect. He merely received several rookie of the year votes when he wasn’t a rookie. I stand by the joke.
Jason_F
I’ve read this numerous times in the comments section here and other places, but can’t find anything anywhere that confirms it. I’ve scoured the Baseball Reference awards voting section only to find that he (erroneously) received votes for 2008 NL ROY. Do you have a link that proves otherwise?
mitch l.
intresting, I never heard that one. I heard that Zach Day was once named rookie pitcher of the month in his 3rd ML season. I guess the guy that keeps track of service time must’ve been on vacation those days.
mitch l.
intresting, I never heard that one. I heard that Zach Day was once named rookie pitcher of the month in his 3rd ML season. I guess the guy that keeps track of service time must’ve been on vacation those days.
willclarksgauchos
This may affect his arbitration hearing…
Shawn Milburn
Volquez is not a rookie…he started the All-Star game 2 yrs ago….I believe the 50 games is after he comes off the DL too….coluld be wrong though
Jason_F
Volquez also never started an all star game.
Brian
50 game suspension starts today…he basically is losing the pay since he couldn’t play the next 50 games anyway
Brian
50 game suspension starts today…he basically is losing the pay since he couldn’t play the next 50 games anyway
aap212
He’s not a rookie, but he received rookie of the year votes after his eligibility was up.
AB 2
Hurray. The Reds really needed that…
iains
Hmm.. so can the Reds take him off the DL and have him on suspension for 50 games?
Edward
Apparently he can serve the suspension and rehab on the disabled list SIMULTANEOUSLY. That is such absolute crap. The point of suspensions is to penalize the player. He’s not going to miss any time he wouldn’t have missed otherwise. There’s no penalty.
Jason_F
The biggest penalty of all: $$$$$
iains
Probably about $140,000
iains
From what I’m reading, a suspended player is on the restricted list, meaning that the team retains control, but he’s not filling a roster spot. I’m not sure if the suspension also means he can’t be in the clubhouse or not.. but if it has no impact on the playing roster, why not have him serve the suspension while rehabbing?
AB 2
From what I’m reading from the local beat writers on Twitter it sounds like he’ll miss out on money but not playing time.
Suzysman
*snickers in the corner*
grandpoohbah
Another ex Texas Ranger testing positive…imagine that
jason54858
Dude He has not played for the Rangers in 3 years and wasn’t any good here. Ivan, Jaun, Alex, Palmero are the only guys that I know of linked to steroids from the Ranger organization. Yankees, A’s, Red Sox, and many other teams have there share to.
BaseballFan0707
And yet all those players you named were pretty big time hitters/players in Texas.
The point is that one should definitely find it rather suspicious that all of these former Rangers are tied to steroids.
MadmanTX 2
And not one of them was chasing or won a HR hitting title like McGwire or Bonds or Sosa.
Suzysman
Outside of the obvious ARod, JuanGone, Pudge, Palmero and Canseco issues, you have guys like
Dave Martinez (Canseco says introduced him to it year prior)
Gary Matthews (Revealed after he signed with Anaheim)
Jerry Hairston (ordering HGH traced back to 04/05, revealed while with Texas)
Ismael Valdez (documents he ordered in 2002)
Todd Greene (same doctor as Valdez, unknown when but he was there with Valdez in 2002 right before they caught Ismael ordering)
John Rocker (Documented he ordered months after his year there)
There could be more, looked them up fast. There are also guys like Segui which might be in the fold too
(Edit to say – not that I am saying he has been doing them since then, just responding to the question of Texas users)
MadmanTX 2
Cmon. Go over the lists of those busted for PEDs and not a majority of them were on the Rangers roster when they tested positive. Why not dig into the Yanks because they had Pettitte and Clemens? The Mitchell Report identified 16 past and present Yankees players. 16. So, don’t bash on the Rangers for having all of the juiced players. And they haven’t made all of the post-season appearances that the Yankees did with theirs.
Suzysman
What is your issue? You talked about the players implicated while in or with the Rangers and I gave you a more expanded list…
And you cant just say “past and present” because if I did that for the Rangers, the list would skyrocket – I stuck to only players suspected to be using or implicated while there. The only thing I can tell you is sorry you clearly dont like the results.
Suzysman
Outside of the obvious ARod, JuanGone, Pudge, Palmero and Canseco issues, you have guys like
Dave Martinez (Canseco says introduced him to it year prior)
Gary Matthews (Revealed after he signed with Anaheim)
Jerry Hairston (ordering HGH traced back to 04/05, revealed while with Texas)
Ismael Valdez (documents he ordered in 2002)
Todd Greene (same doctor as Valdez, unknown when but he was there with Valdez in 2002 right before they caught Ismael ordering)
John Rocker (Documented he ordered months after his year there)
There could be more, looked them up fast. There are also guys like Segui which might be in the fold too
(Edit to say – not that I am saying he has been doing them since then, just responding to the question of Texas users)
whodey1010
I was thinking the same thing.
whodey1010
I was thinking the same thing.
grandpoohbah
Another ex Texas Ranger testing positive…imagine that
Guest 3181
So did MLB wait just long enough for Manny to show up?
TravisMount
If he can serve the suspension on the DL, why wouldn’t teams (or players/trainers) just pump pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery with steroids?
So they get suspended, but so what? They heal faster and will be back on the field much sooner than they would have just sitting on the shelf for two years.
The system makes no sense. Selig should really make a change that you can’t serve a suspension while on the DL. Further proof that MLB doesn’t care about steroid use in the least.
barroomhero
This is interesting. Because then, couldn’t a team put a guy on the 60-day DL when they get suspended for PEDs and free up a 40 man roster spot? Sounds fishy to me.
barroomhero
This is interesting. Because then, couldn’t a team put a guy on the 60-day DL when they get suspended for PEDs and free up a 40 man roster spot? Sounds fishy to me.
alxn
don’t be ridiculous
alxn
don’t be ridiculous
tomr
That might make sense for guys making the league minimum, but for somebody like Ben Sheets for example, that would cost him a lot of money.
wintwins
The guys making the league minimum would need to money more haha
tomr
That might make sense for guys making the league minimum, but for somebody like Ben Sheets for example, that would cost him a lot of money.
TravisMount
If he can serve the suspension on the DL, why wouldn’t teams (or players/trainers) just pump pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery with steroids?
So they get suspended, but so what? They heal faster and will be back on the field much sooner than they would have just sitting on the shelf for two years.
The system makes no sense. Selig should really make a change that you can’t serve a suspension while on the DL. Further proof that MLB doesn’t care about steroid use in the least.
Truitalian9
he had filthy stuff in 07 you couldnt hit him
Jason_F
If you’re talking about when he was in the minors with Texas during ’07, then yes. But I think the season you are talking about is 2008 with the Reds.
Jason_F
If you’re talking about when he was in the minors with Texas during ’07, then yes. But I think the season you are talking about is 2008 with the Reds.
Truitalian9
he had filthy stuff in 07 you couldnt hit him
Qbass187
WOW! And he’s not even a Yankee. This should put him pretty high on their list as soon as he hits FA though; a’ la Sergio Mitre.
Qbass187
WOW! And he’s not even a Yankee. This should put him pretty high on their list as soon as he hits FA though; a’ la Sergio Mitre.
Ian_Smell
Would it be fair to give him the nickname of PEDinson?
Yankeefan4life
Not yet. He is most likely taking PEDs for his injury.
Guest 3183
HA
Guest 3183
HA
Yankeefan4life
Not yet. He is most likely taking PEDs for his injury.
Ian_Smell
Would it be fair to give him the nickname of PEDinson?
Yankeefan4life
Read the last sentence in the article. He can serve his suspension on the DL.
0vercast
That’s some BS.
0vercast
That’s some BS.
Yankeefan4life
Read the last sentence in the article. He can serve his suspension on the DL.
TimotheusATL
I must be the only person who’s NOT surprised that THIS GUY got nailed for PEDs. Yeesh.
TimotheusATL
I must be the only person who’s NOT surprised that THIS GUY got nailed for PEDs. Yeesh.
Brian
This will cost Volquez in his own personal money but it will save the Reds some cash when arbitration hearings come along. Plus the fact he probably will not pitch in MLB this year. I see Reds ownership taking a big sigh of relief not having a huge arbitration raise staring at them in the face to go along with what Votto and Cueto will pull.
Dave4G4e
Yeah, this really is a no-lose situation for the Reds, wouldn’t have had him anyway
Dave4G4e
Yeah, this really is a no-lose situation for the Reds, wouldn’t have had him anyway
Brian
This will cost Volquez in his own personal money but it will save the Reds some cash when arbitration hearings come along. Plus the fact he probably will not pitch in MLB this year. I see Reds ownership taking a big sigh of relief not having a huge arbitration raise staring at them in the face to go along with what Votto and Cueto will pull.
schellis
Surely Volquez knows that he doesn’t have to take the female fertility drugs in order for them to work the way they’re suppose to. Wonder if Manny was trying for a kid as well.
schellis
Surely Volquez knows that he doesn’t have to take the female fertility drugs in order for them to work the way they’re suppose to. Wonder if Manny was trying for a kid as well.
Corey
fail. i picked him up as a FA on my fantasy team and put him on the DL… will be dropping tonight
BaseballFan0707
It’s a shame that MLB rules on suspended players is such a joke that he can serve this suspension while recovering from his TJ surgery. If it were up to people with common sense, his ass would serve that suspension the minute he is deemed ready to pitch and has completed his rehab/minor league assignment. You shouldn’t be able to play the system like that.
alphabet_soup5
Didn’t Manny play in the minors a little last year before coming back up to the MLB? I think you’re only suspended from the MLB, but I agree with you.
BaseballFan0707
Yep, that’s still bs. You shouldn’t be able to get any form of benefit at all. Your ass sits for 50 days the moment you can come back and play, not when you’re going through your rehab. You want to cheat and inconvenience the league? The league should do the same right back to you.
alphabet_soup5
Didn’t Manny play in the minors a little last year before coming back up to the MLB? I think you’re only suspended from the MLB, but I agree with you.
Patattack
So his time on the DL counts toward his suspension. How does that work out?