January 6, 2009, 3:36 pm est

News: Phillies reliever J.C. Romero and Yankees minor league pitcher Sergio Mitre were suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance. The right-handed Mitre did not pitch last season and needed Tommy John surgery last June. The Yanks expect him to be available sometime during the season as either a starter or reliever.

Analysis: Mitre is nothing more than a DL stashee in the first half of the season. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day and consider him nothing more than a reliever once healthy. He could still be a starter in the majors, but we don't see it happening with the big-budget Yankees in 2009

January 6, 2009, 1:36 pm est

MLB suspended RHP Sergio Mitre 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Mitre told ESPN that he failed a drug test because a trace amount of androstenedione appeared without his knowledge in a nutritional supplement that he bought at GNC. [...]

January 6, 2009, 11:17 am est

News: Mitre (elbow) was suspended for 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy, the team's official web site reports. "I did take the supplement in question and accept full responsibility for taking it," he said in a statement. "What has been difficult for me to understand is that I legally purchased this supplement at GNC and had no intention nor desire to cheat or to circumvent the system in any way.

Spin: Mitre was set to be out until the All-Star break after after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July. He'll be able to serve the suspension (but lose pay) while rehabbing, so it's unlikely this will cost him to miss any more time than previously thought.Tue, January 6

January 6, 2009, 10:24 am est

News: Mitre (elbow) was suspended for 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy, the team's official web site reports. "I did take the supplement in question and accept full responsibility for taking it," he said in a statement. "What has been difficult for me to understand is that I legally purchased this supplement at GNC and had no intention nor desire to cheat or to circumvent the system in any way.

Spin:

January 6, 2009, 10:24 am est

Mitre said that the positive test came as a result of an over-the-counter supplement, purchased at a GNC store in Florida while rehabbing his right elbow following Tommy John reconstructive surgery in July. The product contained trace amounts of banned substance androstenedione -- a natural steroid hormone that produces testosterone in the body -- which Mitre said resulted in the positive test in late August.

Status: Suspended. Return July/August
MLB suspended RHP Sergio Mitre 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Mitre told ESPN that he failed a drug test because a trace amount of androstenedione appeared without his knowledge in a nutritional supplement that he bought at GNC. He'll serve the suspension while on the DL to begin the season. He's not due back from Tommy John surgery until July or August.