Just when you thought the Phillies' season couldn't get any worse, it has.
Already on the disabled list with a pars fracture in his back, second baseman Freddy Galvis has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a metabolite of Clostebol, a performance-enhancing drug that violates the league's banned substance program.
The suspension begins immediately, meaning he will serve the suspension while on the DL.
A trace amount of a banned substance80 parts in a trillionwas detected in my urine sample," Galvis said in a statement released by the team. "I am extremely disappointed in what has transpired. I cannot understand how even this tiny particle of a banned substance got into my body. I have not and never would knowingly use anything illegal to enhance my performance. I have always tried to follow the teams strength and conditioning methods, listen to the trainers, work out hard and eat right. Unfortunately, the rules are the rules and I will be suspended.
Id like to apologize to my all my fans, especially here in Philadelphia and back home in Venezuela, to my teammates and to the Phillies organization. I am looking forward to putting this behind me, rehabilitating my back and returning to the Phillies as soon as possible to try to help them win another World Series.
Ruben Amaro spoke to the media in the Phillies' dugout shortly after hearing the news himself.
"Freddy is in the training room doing some treatment on his back," Amaro said. "I spoke with him. He's disappointed.
MLB
"Its disappointing but in these situations we fully support the program and major league baseball's decision and at the same time we support the player and we just want him to get healthy and get back on the field for us."
Amaro believes that the suspension will take place immediately, while Galvis is on the shelf anyway. When asked if he thought the Phillies caught a break by having Galvis miss time he would have already missed, Amaro responded "I guess. Obviously we dont like for this to happen at all, but well have to deal with it and move forward."
The 22-year-old Galvis suffered the fracture in his back in a loss to the Dodgers on June 6. The suspension aside, whether he would return this season was uncertain. He is expected to wear a brace for about two more weeks before being re-evaluated.
He had been filling in admirably for Chase Utley at second base. In 58 games, he hit .226 with three homers, 15 doubles and 24 RBIs and had played brilliantly at second.
"The most important thing is to get him healthy again," Amaro said of Galvis. "Get him back on the field. We believe in the kid, I believe in him, and I think hes still got a great future for us moving forward."
Already without Galvis, Utley, Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay and Laynce Nix, the Phils also appear to have lost reliever David Herndon, who is expected to have Tommy John surgery. Plus, Nix (calf) has suffered a setback while running the bases. More on these injuries coming soon.