ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 7 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay outfielder Alex Sanchez announced Thursday he will not appeal a 10-day suspension handed out for violating baseball's steroid policy.
"After consulting with the players' association and my agent, I have decided not to pursue this matter any further," Sanchez said in a statement.
"At this point, I will serve the remainder of my suspension and then return to the field where I will work as hard as I can to help the Devil Rays organization enjoy a successful season."
Sanchez originally said he would protest the suspension because he had never taken steroids. He later said the banned substances detected in his system came from an over-the-counter supplement.
"If I am guilty, I am guilty of not taking the initiative to learn more about the contents of what I was taking," he said.
Sanchez can return to action on April 14.
