Yasmani Grandal Suspended 50 Games by MLB for Testing Positive for Testosterone

San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal has tested positive for a banned substance and will be suspended for 50 games.

Baseball broadcaster Steve Berthiaume reported the news via Twitter: 

"

MLB says #Padres Yasmani Grandal has been suspended 50 games without pay for testing positive for Testosterone.

— Steve Berthiaume (@BertDbacks) November 7, 2012"

The 23-year-old played in 60 games for the Padres last season and hit .297 with eight home runs, 36 RBI and a .863 OPS in 192 at-bats. 

This news has to come as a blow to the Padres and their fans. Grandal's impressive rookie performance was certainly more than enough to spark dreams of a bright future. 

This is not to say he is now doomed to not fulfill potential, but those hopes now most definitely carry an asterisk next to them. Also, it means the Padres are going to have a hole they hadn't planned on for the first 50 games of next season. 

The Padres released the following statement and shared their disappointment on the matter (via CBS' Dayn Perry):

"

We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Yasmani Grandal for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program. We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outlined by Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, we will not comment further on this matter.

"

Grandal came to the Padres in December 2011 when he was one of the pieces of the trade that sent Mat Latos to the Reds.

Now, he'll have to wait a while before he can try to restore his reputation and help the Padres compete in the National League West.