Edinson Volquez Gets 50-Game Suspension, Claims Fertility Drugs, Not PED’s

One of the Reds’ best pitchers, Edinson Volquez, has been suspended fifty games for violating MLB’s drug abuse policy. 

It will not matter much to the Reds because Volquez had Tommy John surgery last year and is not slated to return before his 50-game suspension is up.  He will begin serving his suspension immediately and it will conclude on June 13.

According to Volquez, he tested positive for a banned substance that’s in some fertility medicine he was prescribed in the Dominican.  How embarassing.  Imagine having to tell the world, “Guys, I’m not a cheater — my spunk don’t work.” 

If this is a line of s**t I think he would have chosen a less embarrassing culprit.  But then again, the most embarrassing reason might be the most believable.

His statement reads as follows:

“Prior to the conclusion of last season, my wife and I sought medical advice in Cincinnati with the hope of starting a family. As part of my consultation with the physician, I received certain prescribed medications to treat my condition.

As a follow up to our original consultation, my wife and I visited another physician in our home city in the Dominican Republic this past off-season. This physician also gave me certain prescribed medications as part of my treatment.

Unfortunately, I now know that the medication the physician in the Dominican gave me is one that is often used to treat my condition, but is also a banned substance under Major League Baseball’s drug policy.

As a result, I tested positive when I reported to spring training.

Although I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and have chosen not to challenge my suspension, I want to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident involving my genuine effort to treat a common medical issue and start a family.

I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career. I am embarrassed by this whole situation and apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Reds Organization for being a distraction and for causing them any difficulty.

I simply want to accept the consequences, learn from the mistake, and continue to strive to be the best person and baseball player I can be.”

Volquez will lose about $137,950 of his annual salary ($445,000).  That’s some expensive fertility medicine.

USA Today