According to a report by MLB.com, Marlins’ catcher Ronny Paulino was suspended 50 games on Friday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Paulino says the drug was a dietary pill to control his weight and will not appeal the suspension.

“To control my weight this season, I used a dietary pill,” Paulino said in a statement released by the Marlins. “Regretfully, I recently learned that the dietary pill contained a substance banned under Major League Baseball’s drug policy. I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans. My heartfelt and most sincere apology.”

The last Major Leaguer suspended for testing positive under MLB’s Drug Policy was Reds starter Edinson Volquez on April 20. Volquez wound up serving his 50-game suspension while on the disabled list. Prior to Volquez, Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez received a 50-game penalty in May 2009.

It’s good to see Paulino own up to the situation and not appeal the suspension. It’s akin to getting pulled over for speeding and even though you know you’re in the wrong, you challenge the police officer that pulled you over. Just take the ticket like a man and slow down.

Are dietary pills and HGH in the same category when it comes to giving a player an advantage on the field? Absolutely not, but the bottom line is that they’re both on the banned substance list and players have to take responsibility for what they putting into their bodies.

Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

Offseason Movement: The defending World Series champs added 2B Miguel Cairo, OF Raul Ibanez, C Ronny Paulino and pitchers Gary Majewski and Chan Ho Park this offseason. Philly also parted with OF Pat Burrell, OF So Taguchi and pitchers Adam Eaton, Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez.

Top Prospect: Carlos Carrasco, RHP
Carrasco enters 2009 as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball and if Chan Ho Park struggles as the fifth starter, there’s a chance that Carrasco might make an appearance at some point this season. He appears to have a very high ceiling and while he’s still a bit erratic at times, Carrasco will likely smooth out his rough spots in Triple-A before making the big league roster.

Read the rest of this entry »