San Diego Padres All-Star shortstop Everth Cabrera was one of 13 players suspended by Major League Baseball today for links to banned performance enhancing drugs tied to an investigation of Biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic in Florida that is now closed.
Cabrera, who hits leadoff for the Padres, was suspended for 50 games. He will miss the rest of the season. He only recently returned after suffering an injured hamstring and the Padres went from contending for the National League West lead to last place during his absence.
Since he got back on the field, the Friars have climbed to third place.
Cabrera was one of 12 major league players who accepted suspensions; Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees was suspended through the end of 2014, but has said he will appeal, The Associated Press reports.
Two weeks ago, Milwaukee Brewers player Ryan Braun accepted a 65 game suspension for his ties to the Biogenesis clinic. He was the National League Most Valuable Player in 2011.
As far as Cabrera's absence, the Padres' general manager Josh Byrnes said the team will cope.
"I am disappointed," said Byrnes. "At the same time, I think the events of the last two weeks — for the issue at large and what Major League Baseball and the player's association have done — I think this is a positive step."
Byrnes applauded Major League Baseball for working to clean up the game. Fourteen players were targeted in the probe.
