According to a report by The Miami Herald‘s Clark Spencer, Marlins starting catcher Ronny Paulino has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
The suspension would put the Marlins catcher out for the rest of the regular season with 40 games left to go for the Marlins, as it will be effective immediately.
Paulino started the year off as the Marlins’ backup catcher to John Baker, but when Baker went down with an injury, Paulino assumed the bulk of the catching duties.
He becomes the first Marlins player to receive such a suspension since the steroid policy was enacted in 2006. He is also the first major league position player on a 25-man roster to be suspended for PEDs this season.
Paulino played in 91 games this season and hit .259 with four home runs and 37 RBI. Paulino hit .282 in the first half but since the second half has started has hit only .195 with a home run and seven RBI.
If Ronny Paulino were to sign a contract with any team next season, he would miss the first 10 games of the season since he is to miss the remaining 40 games with the Marlins.
The Marlins called up catcher Brad Davis from Triple-A New Orleans to replace Paulino. Brett Hayes becomes the Marlins’ everyday catcher for the rest of the season, even if the injured John Baker were to return.
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