Bartolo Colon Suspended for Failing Testosterone Drug Test; Oakland A's Pitcher to Miss 50 Games, Per MLB Rules

Oakland A's pitcher, Bartolo Colon, failed a drug test and has since been suspended from the MLB for 50 games.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Colon will lose the remaining $469,945 of his $2 million yearly salary. The site adds that the player has also lost the ability to earn $850,000 in bonuses.  

Colon's team responded with the following statement:

"The Oakland Athletics are disappointed to learn of today's suspension of pitcher Bartolo Colon. The organization fully supports Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing substances from our game. Per the Basic Agreement, the A's will have no further comment."

After the news broke, Colon apologized for his actions, stating: "I apologize to the fans, to my teammates and to the Oakland A's. I accept my responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the joint drug problem."

Colon isn't the only player to recently be suspended. Recently, Guillermo Mota, Melky Cabrera, Freddy Galvis, and Marlon Byrd faced similar consequences for failed drug tests this past year.

Fellow A's player Grant Balfour expressed disappointment in light of the news, stating: [Colon's] a guy that we're definitely relying on right now. I guess you could say it's bad timing any time, but especially now."

Colon, who has a 10-9 record this season and a 3.43 E.R.A., was a Yankee before being traded to the A's this past season.  

By using testosterone, Bartolo has both smeared his record and deprived his team of his assistance for the next 50 games.