Photo by Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello was suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for the anabolic steroid dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, MLB announced Friday.Colabello, a feel-good story who spent eight years in the minors and independent leagues before making his big-league debut at 29, was off to a slow start following a breakout 2015 season. The 32-year-old was hitting just .069/.156/.069 over 32 at-bats to start the year.He released a statement shortly after the news broke and denied knowingly taking a PED.
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Colabello was an unexpected key performer for Toronto last season after the club claimed him off waivers from the Twins in December 2014, hitting .321/.367/.520 with 15 homers in 101 games. He made his debut with Minnesota in 2013, and played 114 games with the club over parts of two seasons.Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins and manager John Gibbons expressed disappointment but were standing behind the Massachusetts native."Yeah, I'm disappointed it happened. But I've got a special bond with the kid, you know? I was the manager here when he made it," Gibbons said. "He's a unique guy, he really is. This hurts me just like it hurts him, because I love the guy. He's beloved out there in that clubhouse."Colabello, the sixth player suspended by MLB for PED use this season, will forfeit $227,891 in salary.On March 13, I got one of the scariest and most definitely the least-expected phone calls of my entire life. I was informed by the players' association that a banned substance was found in my urine. I have spent every waking moment since that day trying to find an answer as to why or how? I would never compromise the integrity of the game of baseball I am saddened more for the impact this will have on my teammates, the organization and the fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. I hope that before anyone passes judgment on me they can take a look at the man that I am, and everything that I have done to get to where I am in my career.