Baseball Notes: Indians’ Marlon Byrd suspended 162 games for drug violation

Marlon Byrd’s second strike with performance-enhancing drugs cost him a full season – and perhaps his career.

The Indians 38 year-old, veteran outfielder was suspended 162 games without pay by Major League Baseball on Wednesday after testing positive for Ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide.

It’s Byrd’s second violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Shortly after he was released in 2012 by Boston, Byrd served a 50-game suspension for testing positive for Tamoxifen, a medication used by body builders but also to treat breast cancer.

In 2014, MLB increased its penalty for a second offense from 100 games to a full season.

Byrd packed his belongings following a loss to Texas on Tuesday night, but he didn’t tell the team about his suspension until he called manager Terry Francona on Wednesday morning.

“Marlon stood up in front of everybody and took responsibility and apologized,” Francona said. “And, basically, he told the guys that his career is over and this is not how he wanted it to end. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of criticism of the situation, but it doesn’t take away that we care about him. We care about our team, but we also care about the individuals. So, that hurts.”

Byrd released a statement, saying he had no intention of taking a banned substance and consulted with “a medical professional” for advice on what he could take since his suspension four years ago. He realized certain supplements he was ingesting were not approved, and he thinks he took a tainted supplement.

Cubs dominate NL All-Star voting

The Chicago Cubs are dominating the All-Star balloting so far, with first baseman Anthony Rizzo receiving the most votes in the National League.

Rizzo could have plenty of company for the July 12 game in San Diego. Third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Addison Russell and second baseman Ben Zobrist also were the leaders at their positions, and center fielder Dexter Fowler was in position to grab a starting spot.

Rounding the bases

Marlin’s slugger Giancarlo Stanton is in the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Pirates after missing the last seven games with right side soreness. … The Brewers reinstated Will Smith from the 15-day disabled list before their 3-1 victory over St. Louis. … Hunter Pence had to leave the Giants game in Atlanta with an apparent right leg injury. … The Dodgers are going to give Julio Urias his second start in the finale of a four-game series against the Cubs. … Rays reliever Brad Boxberger is going back on the disabled list a day after his first appearance of the season with a left oblique strain. … The Tigers have removed struggling 11-year veteran Anibal Sanchez from the rotation. … The Royal’s Mike Moustakas is set to undergo season-ending ACL Surgery