by Associated Press
Major League Baseball Tuesday banned Philadelphia Phillies rookie second baseman Freddy Galvis for 50 games for using a performance-enhancing drug.
Galvis tested positive for clostebol, a synthetic anabolic steroid.
A trace amount of a banned substance -- 80 parts in a trillion -- was detected in my urine sample, Galvis said in a statement. I cannot understand how even this tiny particle of a banned substance got into my body.
The Phillies continue to believe in and endorse Major League Baseball's drug policy. We also support Freddy Galvis in his determination to put this matter behind him and we look forward to his return as a productive member of the Phillies as soon as possible, the Phillies said in a statement.
Galvis, a 22-year-old rookie, is currently on the disabled list with a lower back injury.
He has played in 58 games for the Phillies, filling in for injured All-Star Chase Utley.
Galvis was hitting .226 with 15 doubles, three home runs, 24 RBI and 14 runs scored.
Galvis said in his statement he had not and would never knowingly use anything illegal to enhance my performance.