Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has been suspended 25 games without pay after testing positive for an amphetamine.
The news came by way of a tweet from the official Major League Twitter account, @mlb and via a press release on the league's official website.
"The suspension of Ruiz is effective at the start of the 2012 regular season. He will be eligible to participate in Spring Training, including in Spring Training games," a league statement read.
Testing positive for an Amphetamine is a violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the league said.
"I am sincerely regretful for my mistake in taking a prohibited stimulant," the statement read.
"I apologize to my teammates, the Phillies organization and the Philadelphia fans. I will serve the imposed 25-game suspension to begin the season, and I look forward to returning to the field and working toward bringing a championship back to Philadelphia in 2013."
In a statement issued by the Philadelphia Phillies, the team said it supported the league's drug program.
"The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball's Drug Program. We are disappointed by the news of this violation of the program. We will support Carlos in an appropriate manner and move forward to achieve our goal to play championship-caliber baseball in 2013," Phillies Senior Vice President and General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement.
Stay with FOX 29 News and MyFOXPhilly.com for more on this breaking news story.
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(AP Photo)
