Chris Davis bans for 25 Games for positive amphetamine testys

Chris Davis, one of the Orioles’ most productive and popular players, is suspended after a positive drug test. Mark Viviano has more from Davis and the team. It’s supposed to be a celebratory time for the Orioles, as they close in on clinching a division title. Baltimore is leading the AL East by 10.5 games with 16 left in the regular season. But that excitement has stalled–at least temporarily–by news that one of the team’s most popular players, Chris Davis, is suspended for illegal drugs.

Chris Davis broke the news to manager Buck Showalter in a phone call Thursday night. Davis violated Major League Baseball’s drug policy by testing positive for Adderall, a prescribed drug that contains amphetamine. Adderall is a drug often used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. It is, however, also known as a performance and cognitive enhancer.

“It’s just a bad situation overall, and I think he knows that and we all know that and it’s something that we have to deal with,” said Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis. The 28-year-old Davis said he used the drug last year with a therapeutic exemption, which the league allows in select cases. He did not have the exemption this season, but still used the drug. His positive test leads to a 25 game suspension.

Davis is prohibited from entering the clubhouse during the ban. In a written statement, Davis said: “I apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Orioles organization and especially the fans. I made a mistake of taking Adderall. I had permission to use it in the past, but do not have a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) this year. I accept my punishment and will begin serving my suspension immediately.” Last season, Davis set an Orioles record with 53 home runs and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. This year, he has struggled, batting .196 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs in 145 games. Davis will sit out the rest of the Orioles’ regular season and won’t be eligible to return until the playoffs—maybe as late as the World Series—if the O’s make it that far.

The Orioles are already without catcher Matt Wieters and third baseman Manny Machado, both of whom sustained season-ending injuries. Davis is the second Orioles player suspended for testing positive for amphetamine. Relief pitcher Troy Patton was suspended prior to the season. He was since traded to the San Diego Padres.