Outfielder Marlon Byrd suspended 50 games for positive drug test

Outfielder Marlon Byrd, a free agent after being released by the Boston Red Sox on June 12, has been suspended 50 games after a positive drug test.

ESPN’s T.J. Quinn reports on Twitter that Byrd’s positive test came for a drug used to deal with the side effects of steroids, not a performance-enhancing drug itself.

Free agent OF Marlon Byrd has received a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

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MLB Public Relations (@MLB_PR) June 25, 2012

Marlon Byrd suspended 50 games. Tested + for tamoxifen, an estrogen blocker, not a PED. Dopers use it to mitigate steroid side-effects.

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T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) June 25, 2012

Byrd, 34, has spent 11 years in the major leagues. This season, he split his time between the Chicago Cubs and the Red Sox. He hit .210 with one home run in 47 games with the two teams.