Toronto Blue Jays' Chris Colabello suspended for PED use

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/first baseman Chris Colabello was suspended for 80 games without pay for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program, Major League Baseball announced on Friday.

Colabello tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance dehydrochlormethyltestosterone.

Colabello said via statement that he isn't sure what caused the positive test.

"On March 13, I got one of the scariest and most definitely the least expected phone calls of my entire life," Colabello said. "I was informed by the Players Association that a banned substance was found in my urine.

"I have spent every waking moment since that day trying to find an answer as to why or how? The only thing I know is that I would never compromise the integrity of the game of baseball. I love this game too much! I care too deeply about it.

"I am saddened more for the impact this will have on my teammates, the organization and fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. I hope that before anyone passes judgment on me they can take a look at the man that I am, and everything that I have done to get to where I am in my career."

Colabello, 32, is batting .069 in 10 games this season. Last season, he batted .321 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs.

"This is obviously an unfortunate situation that we are in with Chris," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement. "We believe in him as a person and a player. We also fully endorse the Major League Baseball drug-testing policy.

"Chris has overcome a great deal in his career and has been a key contributor to this team. While we are certainly disappointed with today's news, we're confident he'll return ready to compete and will have taken the steps needed to ensure that this does not happen again."

Toronto also signed free-agent outfielder Michael Bourn to a minor-league deal. Bourn was released by the Atlanta Braves in spring training.