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View Full Version : Ponson tests pos for stimulant at WBC



Goodfellas
06-26-2009, 05:55 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Kansas City Royals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/royals) pitcher Sidney Ponson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/5984) tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years.

Major League Baseball will not suspend Ponson. Under the drug rules, he will be treated as a first-time offender and is subject to a medical review and fine.

The International Baseball Federation said Friday that Ponson tested positive for Phentermine, a weight-loss drug that is similar in chemical structure to an amphetamine.

The 32-year-old Ponson pitched well for the Netherlands last March in the WBC and later signed a minor league contract with Kansas City.

Ponson is 1-5 with a 7.27 ERA as a starter and reliever for the Royals. He has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 30 because of a strained right elbow.

Ponson was scheduled to make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Omaha on Friday night at Memphis. He has pitched two games for Omaha, giving up two earned runs in seven innings.