San Diego Padres outfielder Cameron Maybin has been suspended 25 games after testing positive for an amphetamine, a violation of league policy, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday.
The suspension is effective immediately. He is the first major league player to be suspended this season under the league's drug policy.
"I have been undergoing treatment for several years for a medical condition, attention deficit disorder, for which I previously had a Therapeutic Use Exemption," Cameron said in a statement. "Unfortunately, in my attempts to switch back to a medicine that had been previously OK'd, I neglected to follow all the rules and as a result I tested positive. "I want to assure everyone that this was a genuine effort to treat my condition and I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career. I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and I will take my punishment and will not challenge my suspension."
"Our club fully supports Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," Padres manager Bud Black said in a statement. "Cameron has accepted full responsibility for his violation and apologized to his teammates and coaches. We are all looking forward to his return."
Team President and CEO Mike Dee also released a statement: “I’m disappointed in Cameron’s violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, but am pleased that he’s taking responsibility for his mistake. The Joint Agreement was put into place to protect both the player and the game, and the Padres fully support it.”
The team called up Jeff Francoeur today to replace him on the roster, a move that's expected to be made official on Wednesday.
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Maybin has had a disappointing year so far, hitting just .249 with one home run and nine RBIs. He missed nearly all of April with a biceps injury. He has just one hit in hist last eight games.
He's not the first Padres player to face a drug suspension from the league. In 2012, catcher Yasmani Grandal was suspended 50 games after testing positive for testosterone. Last year, All-Star shortstop Everth Cabrera missed 50 games the final 50 games of the season when he was linked to the Biogenesis investigation.
