MLB Suspends Ryan Braun Without Pay For Remainder of 2013 Season

The MLB has officially suspended Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Bruan for his involvement with the biogenesis clinic linked to illegal steroid use. In December of 2011, Braun tested positive for an elevated level of testosterone due to PED’s (performance-enhancing drugs) which leaked on an episode on ESPN’s Outside the Lines. The MLB was set to suspend the current 5-time NL outfielder silver slugger, but after an appeal the next month, he was safe for the time being.

Continue after the jump for more on the story including Braun’s official statement.

BREAKING: Ryan Braun suspended without pay for remainder of 2013 season for violations of Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2013

Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2013 Championship Season and Postseason for violations of the Basic Agreement and its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Braun is effective immediately.

Ryan Braun said: “As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization. I am very grateful for the support I have received from players, ownership and the fans in Milwaukee and around the country. Finally, I wish to apologize to anyone I may have disappointed – all of the baseball fans especially those in Milwaukee, the great Brewers organization, and my teammates. I am glad to have this matter behind me once and for all, and I cannot wait to get back to the game I love.”

“We commend Ryan Braun for taking responsibility for his past actions,” said Rob Manfred, Executive Vice President, Economics & League Affairs for Major League Baseball. “We all agree that it is in the best interests of the game to resolve this matter. When Ryan returns, we look forward to him making positive contributions to Major League Baseball, both on and off the field.”