San Diego Padres outfielder Cameron Maybin has been suspended 25 games after testing positive for amphetamines, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday. The suspension is effective immediately.
Agent Brian Goldberg said Maybin will address the media when he returns from his 25-game suspension. Maybin issued a statement Wednesday through the players' association.
"I have been undergoing treatment for several years for a medical condition, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), for which I previously had a Therapeutic Use Exemption [TUE],'' the statement read. "Unfortunately, in my attempts to switch back to a medicine that had been previously OK'd, I neglected to follow all the rules and as a result I tested positive.
"I want to assure everyone that this was a genuine effort to treat my condition and I was not trying in any way to gain an advantage in my baseball career. I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and I will take my punishment and will not challenge my suspension. I apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates, and the entire Padres organization. I look forward to returning to the field and contributing to the success of my club."
Maybin, 27, is hitting .247 with a .654 OPS in 62 games this season. He's a .248 career hitter in parts of eight seasons with Detroit, Florida and San Diego.
The Padres signed Maybin to a five-year, $25 million contract extension in March 2012, but he's had problems staying on the field. Last year he appeared in only 14 games because of knee and wrist injuries. This year he tore his biceps tendon in spring training and didn't return until late April.
Under the terms of MLB's joint drug agreement, players who test positive for stimulants are subjected to follow-up testing for a first offense and a 25-game suspension for a second offense.
The Padres added outfielder Jeff Francoeur from their Triple-A El Paso club to replace Maybin on the 25-man roster.