MLB Pitcher Faces Suspension, Blames Supplement

Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher JC Romero, of the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies, is reportedly facing a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance allegedly ingested via a sports supplement purchased from a major healthsuppleemnt retailer—various reports mention Vitamin Shoppe and GNC.

In anticipation of the suspension announcement from MLB, Romero took to the public media in defense of what he calls a case mishandled by MLB head Bud Selig and league officials still smarting from a hefty admonishment levied by Congress in the past year or so. In the Philadelphia Inquirer, Romero details the events leading up to his positive test result, including his refusal to accept guilt and a 25-game suspension that would have kept him from finishing the 2008 season, including the World Series. He opted for arbitration instead.

He argued his longtime nutritionist assured the product label contained no banned substances, however a Phillies strength coach sent the supplement in to MLB officials, which found banned substances upon testing the product. Romero said he stopped taking the product when he learned of the result.

Potentially complicating the case, the Inquirer noted the MLB Players' Association (MLBPA) had sent a letter to players, telling them it was safe to purchase supplements from major U.S. retailers.

The supplement in question is 6-OXO Extreme from ErgoPharm, which responded with assurances its product should not have triggered a positive test from MLB, noting the product has undergone several independent lab tests for safety and quality.

MLB issued Romero's suspension today.

Romero, the Phillies and the MLBPA said there are no plans to appeal the suspension, but the union condemned the severity of the penalty levied by MLB.