Giants' Melky Cabrera Gets 50 Game Suspension For Doping

San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera, 28, will miss the rest of the regular season as a result of a positive test for testosterone, a banned substance under rules of Major League Baseball for its performance-enhancing effects.

Cabrera, the former All-Star Game MVP, will sit out the next 50 games. The Giants, who are in a National League West division title race with the Los Angeles Dodgers, have 45 games left in the season. If the Giants make the playoffs, Cabrera’s suspension will carry over to the postseason.

In a statement released by the Major League Baseball Players Association, Cabrera expressed regret and remorse for his actions and the impact they could have on his team. “My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down."

At the time of his suspension, Cabrera was second in all of baseball with a .346 batting average and first with 159 hits. He was also second on the Giants in home runs (11) and runs batted in (60). According to CSN Bay Area, Giants manager Bruce Bochy has indicated that Gregor Blanco may be the guy to replace Cabrera in the lineup. Blanco is hitting .236 with five homers and 28 RBI’s.

Cabrera, a 2009 World Champion with the New York Yankees, has also played for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. Cabrera was in talks with the Giants about a new contract according to CBSSports.com. Those talks were put off until the end of the season when Cabrera is scheduled to become a free agent.

The Giants are currently one game behind the division leading Dodgers. Cabrera’s suspension began on Wednesday, a 6-4 loss to the National League East leading Washington Nationals. The Giants will begin a three-game series in San Diego against the Padres on Friday night and then play a crucial three-game series with Los Angeles beginning Monday at Dodger Stadium. —Chris Camacho

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