Neifi Perez of the Detroit Tigers suspended 80 games

The Detroit Tigers infielder Neifi Perez was suspended for 80 games after after testing positive for a third time for a banned stimulant.

Neifi Perez of the Detroit Tigers suspended 80 games The woes of MLB are nowhere near end, as far as banned substance use is concerned. The Detroit Tiger Neifi Perez dropped dirty for third time, costing him a ban for 80 games, effectively ending his season. The MLB laid down the harsh punishment, after in July tested positive second time for amphetamines, and was suspended for 25 games. Neifi Perez is the only MLB player to be suspended for stimulants since they were banned before the 2006 season.

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While for the first time positive test the consequence is only counseling, another positive test and Perez punishment would go to the discretion of commissioner Bud Selig, which could be a lifetime ban. The amphetamine rules are not as tough as the steroids, where the penalty for the first offence starts at 50 games. Tampa Bay pitcher Juan Salas got banned for 50 games this May, for example.

Neifi Perez has been with the Detroit Tigers since last year, traded from the Chicago Cubs where he spend the 2004-2006 period. Perez MLB career started at the Colorado Rockies in 1996, where he played until 2001 when he moved to Kansas City Royals for an year and then the San Francisco Giants from 2003 to 2004. Neifi Perez has claimed 64 home runs in his career with batting average of .267.

Published on 08/03/2007