pk1 Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins relief pitcher Juan Rincon was suspended for 10 days without pay Monday after he tested positive for a prohibited substance listed on Major League Baseball's Drug Policy. Rincon was the fifth player on a Major League roster suspended this season for testing positive for steroids, or steroid precursors, under the league's tougher stance against performance enhancing drugs. Tampa Bay outfielder Alex Sanchez, Seattle outfielder Jamal Strong, Colorado outfielder Jorge Piedra and Texas pitcher Agustin Montero have also had positive test results this season. The club said Rincon could not be reached for comment. Twins pitcher and union representative Kyle Lohse and Rincon's agent said the right-hander was going to file an appeal with the league. "Suffice it to say, he was devastated and stunned by the result," Rincon agent Ed Setlik told The Associated Press after speaking with pitcher. Rincon will have to begin serving his suspension immediately and won't be allowed to return until May 12. "It's something we have to deal with," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. On the field, that may not be an easy task. Rincon is an essential part of the club's bullpen as a setup man for closer Joe Nathan. The 26-year-old emerged as one of the American League's top relievers last season, going 11-6 with a 2.63 ERA in 77 games. He was rewarded with a new two-year contract in March that pays him $440,000 this season and $900,000 in 2006. In 12 games this season, Rincon is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA. He has allowed five walks and struck out 15. "It's one of those things you hate to hear about," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of the suspension. "I'm sure Juanie feels real bad. We'll just have to work through this. Another lesson learned. "Juanie is one of my players and I feel bad. But there are rules you have to abide by. We'll let everything that needs to take place, take place." Twins players were enjoying an off day Monday but were absorbing the news. "It's definitely surprising to all of us," third baseman Michael Cuddyer said. "We didn't see it coming." However, teammates were clearly backing him. "Juan is a good team guy," Lohse said. "We want him to know we support him. We'll see what happens when all of the facts are out there." "We'll stand behind him," Cuddyer said. "We'll get him back in 10 days and we'll throw him back out there. He'll definitely be welcomed back. That's the kind of team we are." The Twins bullpen, already without injured right-hander Grant Balfour for the entire season, will now look to lefty J.C. Romero and right-hander Jesse Crain to step up in Rincon's absence. "We have issues with our pitching staff," Gardenhire said. "There's a lot at stake here. We'll have to adjust and ad-lib. That just puts a little more pressure on the rest of the guys." To replace Rincon on the roster, the Twins purchased the contract of right-handed pitching prospect Scott Baker from Triple-A Rochester. Baker was 1-0 with a 1.33 ERA in five starts this season. He offers the rotation protection in case Lohse's strained right shoulder prevents him from making his next scheduled start Saturday at Tampa Bay. "He can pitch out of the rotation or out of the bullpen and gives Gardy flexibility," Ryan said of Baker. "He's pitched as well as anyone we have at Rochester." Major League Baseball and the union agreed last offseason to amend the collective bargaining agreement to take a stand against performance-enhancing drugs. Players were tested during Spring Training and are now subject to more random testing throughout the season and stiffer penalties for positive tests. In a letter to Players' Association boss Don Fehr last week, Commissioner Bud Selig proposed even tougher penalties against players who violate the drug policy. Under Selig's plan, first-time offenders would be suspended 50 games without pay, second offenders would get a 100-game suspension, and a third offense would bring a lifetime ban from professional baseball. This 10 game suspension is obviously not working. The new 50 game suspension sounds much better. Can't wait to see who's next on the list. Brian Roberts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahalomenehune Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 selig is asking for a tougher punsihment for testing positive to steroids. The first test would be 50 games........second test positive is like the season i think and the 3rd is for life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lolahotass Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 amazing that these guys would still juice after the testing going on now. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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