Toronto Blue Jays’ Chris Colabello Receives 80-Game PED Suspension

Before their 8-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Friday evening, the Toronto Blue Jays learned that first baseman/outfielder Chris Colabello received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, per a league announcement.

Colabello, 32, tested positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a steroid that is on MLB’s banned substances list. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca confirmed that left-handed pitcher Chad Girodo would take Colabello’s roster spot; pitching two scoreless innings in Friday’s loss.

In a statement released via the Toronto Star’s Brendan Kennedy, Colabello expressed shock about the positive test and added that he’s known about it for over one month.

“On March 13, I got one of the scariest and most definitely the least-expected phone calls of my entire life. I was informed by the players’ association that a banned substance was found in my urine. I have spent every waking moment since that day trying to find an answer as to why or how? The only thing I know is that I would never compromise the integrity of the game of baseball. I love this game too much! I care too deeply about it. I am saddened more for the impact this will have on my teammates, the organization and the fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. I hope that before anyone passes judgment on me they can take a look at the man that I am, and everything that I have done to get to where I am in my career.”

The delay between the positive test and the suspension announcement is likely because Colabello’s appeal took a while to be processed. As noted by CSN Bay Area, the suspension will cost Colabello $227,891 of his $521,126 major league salary. Also, under MLB’s new collective bargaining agreement, the former Minnesota Twin will not be eligible for the postseason this year.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins also issued a statement on Colabello’s suspension, showing support for his player.

“This is obviously an unfortunate situation that we are in with Chris. We believe in him as a person and player. Chris has overcome a great deal in his career and has been a key contributor to this team. While we are certainly disappointed with today’s news, we’re confident he’ll return ready to compete and will have taken the steps needed to ensure that this does not happen again.”

The positive test partnered with the late bloomer’s slow start this season casts doubt on his future with the Blue Jays. In 32 plate appearances through 10 games this season, the right-handed slugger recorded just two hits, two walks, and one run batted in (RBI). This is one year removed from the best season of his career, hitting.331 with 15 HR and 54 RBI through 101 games (360 PA’s) for the 2015 American League East champion Blue Jays.

However, Colabello is a poor defender all around the diamond. According to Fangraphs, Colabello owns a -0.8 ultimate zone rating (UZR/150) and -4 defensive runs saved (DRS) at first base. He also owns an astonishing -44.6 UZR/150 in the outfield for his career with -21 DRS.

Colabello’s suspension might create an opening for a recent signee to crack the Blue Jays’ roster. Veteran outfielder Michael Bourn signed a minor league deal with Toronto, as the Inquisitr reported on Friday. With their outfield depth already weak, the Blue Jays could call up Bourn if he shows he can still be productive at Triple-A.

Before signing with the Twins prior to the 2012 season, Colabello spent seven years playing independent baseball. He passed up an opportunity with the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) prior to the 2014 season, telling Pioneer Press that, “going to Korea would mean giving up the dream of being a big-leaguer.”

The Blue Jays claimed Colabello off waivers from the Twins after the 2014 season.

[Featured Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images]