Ryan Braun Suspended For Remainder Of 2013 Season
(CBS) Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been suspended without pay for the rest of the 2013 season, Major League Baseball announced Monday.
The reason for the suspension comes as a result of "violations of the Basic Agreement and its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program."
Braun agreed to the suspension and will not appeal.
"As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect," Braun said in a statement. "I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed – all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love."
Braun tested positive for an elevated testosterone level in 2011, but that suspension was eventually dropped because of a chain of custody issue involving the tested sample. He adamantly denied any guilt involving the positive test.
"We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions," Rob Manfred, Executive Vice President, Economics & League Affairs for Major League Baseball said. "We all agree that it is in the best interests of the game to resolve this matter. When Ryan returns, we look forward to him making positive contributions to Major League Baseball, both on and off the field."
Braun is making $8.5 million this season and will miss 65 games as a result of the suspension, costing him about $3.4 million, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
