Phillies Set Up Man Suspended For Banned Substance

Major League Baseball suspended Phillies set-up man, JC Romero, for using a banned substance. Romero, who had a solid 2008 season, going 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 81 games, was shocked by the suspension, and according to Matthew Nadu - NBC Philadelphia, justifiably so.

The un-named substance Romero was suspended for was bought in a GNC in Cherry Hill, NJ. Romero had tested positive twice during the 2008 season, August 25 and September 19, but claims when he bought the over-the-counter product, he had it checked out and cleared by his personal trainer, and was also cleared to use the product by the players union.

There was no warning on the package. Here is the question: what else is a player supposed to do? He purchased the product, over-the-counter, from a GNC, consulted his trainer and his union, and was given the OK. After testing positive last season, Romero then received this contradictory statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: "We have previously told you there is no reason to believe a supplement bought at a U.S. based retail store could cause you to test positive under our Drug Program. That is no longer true. We have recently learned of three substances, which can be bought over the counter at stores in the United States that will cause you to test positive. These three supplements were purchased at a GNC and Vitamin Shoppe in the U.S."

Not to sympathize with the Phillies, but it does sound like Romero has gotten the shaft. If the player uses all he has at his disposal to confirm what he is using is legal, and is give a thumbs up, then there is nothing else he can do.

Romero will be suspended for the first 50 games of 2009 and fined $1.25M.