When it rains in Philadelphia, it pours.
After Sixers center Andrew Bynum was announced out indefinitely, the Eagles lost 30-22 to the 2-8 Panthers on Monday night, and Eagles defensive end Jason Babin was released earlier on Tuesday, the sports gods declared this was not enough for Philadelphia and its fans.
One of the only bright spots of the 2012 Phillies season in which Philadelphia finished 81-81, fan favorite "Chooch" was suspended after testing positive amphetamines, or in layman's terms, adderall.
According to Major League Baseball, adderall is a banned substance, but is not a steroid. Under certain conditions, players with ADHD can be prescribed adderrall legally, such as Shane Victorino. Ruiz on the other hand does not have ADHD.
"I am sincerely regretful for my mistake in taking a prohibited stimulant," Ruiz said in a statement issued by the Major League Baseball Players Association. "I apologize to my teammates, the Phillies organization and the Philadelphia fans. I will serve the imposed 25-game suspension to begin the season and I look forward to returning to the field and working toward bringing a championship back to Philadelphia in 2013."
Unfortunately for Ruiz, he now falls in the same category as former PED user Manny Ramirez. Major League Baseball does not suspend players for the first positive test for a stimulant not related to PED's, but a 25 game suspension is handed out to players that test positive for a second time. If caught for a third time, Ruiz will face an 80 game suspension.
As a career .275 hitter, Ruiz is coming off of the best season of his seven year career. Ruiz finished his injury battled 2012 campaign with a .325 batting average with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs. Along with a .540 slugging percentage, Chooch recorded career highs in doubles, hits, home runs, and RBI.
Replacing a bat like Ruiz may not be easy. Although Ruiz will be back on April 28 when the Phillies take on the Mets in New York, Ruiz was the heart and sole of a struggling offense during the 2012 season.
Besides his stellar offensive play, the Phillies will miss Ruiz's defense. Erik Kratz will likely begin the 2013 campaign as the opening day starter against the Kansas City Royals. In 2012, Kratz hit .248 with nine doubles, nine home runs, and 26 RBIs in 141 plate appearances.
Along with Erik Kratz, the Phillies may look to other internal options, such as prospects Tommy Joseph and Sebastian Valle. Joseph, who was acquired in July in the trade that sent outfielder Hunter Pence to San Francisco, hit .257 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs last season. Between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Valle hit .253 with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs.
The suspension for Ruiz will also be accompanied by a salary loss as well. Ruiz will forfeit nearly $770,000 of his $5 million dollar salary during the 25 game suspension.
"The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball's drug program," the team said. "We are disappointed by the news of this violation of the program. We will support Carlos in an appropriate manner and move forward to achieve our goal to play championship-caliber baseball in 2013."
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