Mariners’ Beckham faces 80-game suspension for PED use
SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners infielder Tim Beckham has been suspended 80 games as part of baseball’s joint drug agreement after testing positive for stanozolol, a banned performance enhancer, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday.
Beckham’s suspension is effective immediately and ends his season.
In a statement released through the players’ association, Beckham says he took a product from a “trusted source, who had advised it was safe to take. Regrettably, the product was tainted.” Beckham says he appealed but an independent arbitrator upheld the suspension.
“I accept full responsibility for putting myself in this situation,” Beckham said.
Beckham was hitting .237 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 88 games this season, his first in Seattle.
The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2008 was a starter at the beginning of the year but had moved into a utility role recently, playing all four infield positions and in left field.
Rangers take care of harassed family
The family that says it was racially harassed at a Texas Rangers game has been offered tickets to another game, according to club officials.
Also, a season-ticket holder has offered the family his four, front-row seats behind the visitor’s dugout for the Sept. 10 game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rangers are offering Jessica and Ramon Romero and their 6-year-old son Nomar tickets to any game left on the schedule.
Jessica Romero’s Facebook post about the incident has been shared 80,000 times and drawn 6,000 comments and 140,000 responses since she posted it late Saturday night.
Ron Chapman Jr., who is a Dallas lawyer specializing in labor and employment issues, is offering the Romeros tickets he shares with friends.
“I want the family to know and feel that the vast, vast majority of people don’t think that way,” Chapman said. “I want them to feel 100 percent welcomed by their community and the Rangers’ community.”
Giants part ways with 2B Panik
The San Francisco Giants designated second baseman Joe Panik for assignment, no longer needing him to play regularly with the acquisition of Scooter Gennett at the trade deadline.
Bruce Bochy called it one of the most difficult meetings he has had in his managerial career when he informed Panik, 28.
Panik, a key contributor on San Francisco’s 2014 World Series champion team, was batting .235 with three homers and 27 RBIs.
Odds and ends
The Chicago Cubs have made two more changes to their banged-up bullpen, placing Brandon Kintzler on the 10-day injured list and activating Pedro Strop from the IL. Kintzler experienced discomfort in his right pectoral muscle Monday night. Strop was sidelined with neck tightness. … Alex Verdugo, who leads major league rookies in batting at .294, has been placed on the 10-day injured list by the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a right oblique strain.