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Ben Nicholson-Smith informs us that Thomas Pannone has been suspended for 80 games without pay after testing positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT). This is the same substance Chris Colabello tested positive and received his suspension for.
Pannone released the following statement via Twitter:
My statement on today's decision by the Office of the Commissioner: pic.twitter.com/T9F2ptON7n
— Thomas Pannone Jr (@ThomasPannone) March 16, 2018
UPDATE - Statement from Blue Jays’ GM Ross Atkins:
Ross Atkins on Thomas Pannone suspension, via #BlueJays. pic.twitter.com/HRvtDqxs5N
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) March 16, 2018
Pannone was acquired as part of a package deal from Cleveland at the trade deadline deal last year in exchange for Joe Smith. Pannone started six games at AA New Hampshire, and figures to be a key part of the Blue Jays’ starting pitching depth in AAA Buffalo this year.
The suspension will go into effect at the start of the 2018 regular season.