CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd has been suspended 162 games for testing positive a second time for a performance-enhancing drug.
A person with knowledge of the suspension said Wednesday that Byrd tested positive for Ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of Byrd’s suspension have not yet been made public.
Byrd was suspended for 50 games in 2012 shortly after he was released by Boston. Major League Baseball increased its penalty for a second offense in 2014 from 100 games to a full season.
The 38-year-old Byrd signed as a free agent in March with Cleveland, which needed veteran outfield depth because both left fielder Michael Brantley and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall were recovering from injuries.