The Oakland Athletics' playoff chances may have just taken a (very, very) big hit.
Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that right-handed pitcher Bartolo Colon failed a drug test and will be suspended 50 games. The right-hander had tested positive for testosterone. CBSSports.com was the first to report the news.
"I apologize to the fans, to my teammates and to the Oakland A's," Colon said in a statement. "I accept responsibility for my actions."
Colon has been a large part of an upstart A's squad that has thrived on starting pitching, especially since the All-Star break. The hefty right-hander is 10-9 with a 3.43 ERA in 24 starts this season.
Of course, Colon's reported failed drug test likely won't come as a surprise to many. The veteran righty returned to the big leagues last season after missing all of 2010, aided by a suspect stem cell treatment.
That procedure was done to help Colon recover from a shoulder injury. According to reports, Colon traveled to his native Dominican Republic where he had bone marrow and fatty tissue taken from his hip and inserted into his shoulder. Six weeks later, he was given a "booster shot," as part of a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) procedure.
Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera was suspended for 50 games last week after he also tested positive for testosterone.
