CLEVELAND: Outfielder Marlon Byrd’s involvement with the Indians in 2016 is finished. His career could be, too.
Byrd was suspended by Major League Baseball for 162 games on Wednesday for a failed drug test that revealed the human growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin.
It’s the second failed PED test for Byrd in his career. He was suspended 50 games in 2012, and a third PED suspension would mean a lifetime ban. It also makes him the second Indians outfielder to be suspended for performance-enhancing drugs this season. Abraham Almonte was suspended 80 games during spring training.
In a statement, Byrd claimed he didn’t knowingly take the drug but accepted responsibility and will not appeal the suspension.
“After an extensive investigation by my lawyers and an independent chemist, it was concluded that the most likely source of Ipamorelin was a tainted supplement,” Byrd said in the statement. “I alone am responsible for what I put in my body, and therefore, I have decided to forgo my right to an appeal in this matter and accept the suspension. I apologize for any harm this has caused the Cleveland Indians, Indians’ fans, my teammates and most importantly, my family.”
Byrd was signed as a low-risk, nonroster invitee by the Indians this spring and has helped to solidify right field, hitting .270 with five home runs and 19 RBI while primarily splitting time with Lonnie Chisenhall.
“It’s disappointing, you know, any time you lose a player who is contributing to your team or is expected to contribute to your team in a meaningful way, it’s disappointing,” Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. “But our responsibility now is to deal with that reality and give other guys opportunities to contribute and step forward and contribute and pick up the slack with it.”
Byrd packed up his things Tuesday night and informed Indians manager Terry Francona Wednesday morning. He addressed the team later on Wednesday.
“Marlon came in and talked to his teammates and the coaches and stood up in front of everybody and took responsibility and apologized,” Francona said. “And also, basically, he told the guys that his career is over and this is not how he wanted it to end.”
The Indians, in a corresponding move, have recalled Tyler Naquin. Until Michael Brantley is able to return from the 15-day disabled list, the Indians’ outfield consists of Chisenhall, Naquin and Rajai Davis, along with Jose Ramirez and Michael Martinez as utility players.
Antonetti will speak with Brantley about him not trying to push to be back sooner now that the team is down an outfielder.
“We will about that explicitly with Michael,” Antonetti said. “I think we are all of the same mindset in making sure that we go through his rehab in a very thoughtful and judicious way to make sure that when he comes back again he’s not only healthy but strong and ready to contribute for the balance of the season.”
It already was possible the Indians might look to add an outfielder at the trade deadline to bolster the lineup. Byrd’s suspension only increases that possibility.
The Indians also optioned relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong to Triple-A Columbus one day after promoting him in place of Ryan Merritt and purchased the contract of Tom Gorzelanny.
Gorzelanny, who takes Byrd’s place on the 40-man roster, was also a non-roster invitee to spring camp. A left-hander, he has posted a 3.38 ERA and limited left-handed batters to a .156 average this season in Triple-A.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ