Sportsbook fans noticed that the Cincinnati Reds lost former All-Star pitcher Edinson Volquez to a 50-game suspension. The Reds pitcher was suspended following a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. The Reds could use a healthy Volquez to improve their chances of winning vs. the sportsbook online odds but they are not going to be getting him back anytime soon.
Sportsbook odds list the Reds as a longshot in the National League and not having Volquez isn’t helping. Volquez said that he got the prescription in the Dominican Republic. “As a result, I tested positive when I reported to spring training,” he said. “Although I understand that I must accept responsibility for this mistake and have chosen not to challenge my suspension, I want to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident involving my genuine effort to treat a common medical issue.” The last player to be suspended under MLB’s drug program was Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Volquez is recovering from reconstructive surgery on his elbow. The suspension really doesn’t mean a whole lot to the Reds since Volquez wasn’t coming back for a while anyway. Volquez will lose his salary for 50 games but under baseball’s system he can serve the suspension while on the disabled list. Players that can serve a suspension while on the DL makes the current policy ineffective but baseball rarely looks at things in a proactive manner.
Two years ago Volquez was excellent and a player that sportsbook handicappers followed on a regular basis. He was an All-Star who went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA for the Reds. Last year he was 4-2 with a 4.35 ERA last before he ran into injury troubles. Sportsbook online handicappers noted that Volquez signed with Texas in 2001. He was brought over from Texas in a trade in 2007 in a deal that sent Josh Hamilton to the Rangers.
Cincinnati is taking the party line with their statement. “The Reds fully support Major League Baseball’s drug policy and its penalties. The organization does not condone in any way the use of drugs not sanctioned by MLB’s medical staff,” the team said in a statement.
Last year there were a few players suspended for positive tests. San Francisco’s Kelvin Pichardo, New York’s Sergio Mitre and Philadelphia’s J.C. Romero were suspended a year ago. In the minor leagues, there have been sixteen suspensions this year for drug policy violations.