50-game ban for Padres catcher Grandal

Major League Baseball on Wednesday suspended San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal for 50 games for a positive test for testosterone. Grandal’s suspension will take effect at the start of next season, Major League Baseball said. “We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Yasmani Grandal for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Padres said in a statement. “We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outlined by Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, we will not comment further on this matter.” Grandal, a 23-year-old from Cuba, played 60 games in 2012, his rookie season, hitting .297 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. “I apologise to the fans, my teammates and to the San Diego Padres,” he said in a statement. “I was disappointed to learn of my positive test, and under the joint drug program I am responsible for what I put into my body. “I must accept responsibility for my actions and serve my suspension.”