Yasmani Grandal still owes Padres answers, says exec

San Diego Padres Yasmani Grandal has some more explaining to do after receiving a 50-game suspension all the way back in November as new information continues to come our regarding the Florida anti-aging facility that reportedly supplied his substance.

With spring training right around the corner, the Padres are still looking for answers. Friars’ executive chairman Ron Fowler told the Mighty 1090′s “Darren Smith Show” on Friday that the team will be keeping an eye on the developing situation.

“I don’t think we really had the candor when he was first  suspended that we I think have a right to expect,” he told the show. “I think our people are going to try to get clarity on it.”

Here’s what we do know: Grandal was suspended by Major League Baseball on Nov. 7, 2012 for testing positive for having a high testosterone level. He has made no announcement that he will appeal the suspension and will serve it at the start of the 2013 season. He only half-admitted to any wrongdoing when the news initially broke via USA Today:

“I apologize to the fans, my teammates, and to the San Diego Padres,” Grandal said in his statement. “I was disappointed to learn of my positive test and under the Joint Drug Program I am responsible for what I put into my body.”

With new details emerging that further implicate the 24-year-old former University of Miami star in a lengthy report from the Miami New Times, the news could get potentially much worse for San Diego. 

“It’s very disappointing,” said Fowler “This whole issue of sports and drugs is of great concern. We’re very disappointed in Yasmani, we’re hoping that he steps up and handles this appropriately with his teammates. We want him to be candid, come clean. This is a strike one situation, and this is one area where as a team we will support him by any means possible.” 

That support is warranted, both on the field and off. Grandal quickly became a fan favorite in San Diego after coming over in the Mat Latos trade. He also produced on the field, hitting .297 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs. Now, there’s a question as to how much of that was due to an artificial performance enhancement. Despite his production and likability, however, the team is ready to take action as necessary. 

Though Fowler didn’t say it bluntly, he was clear that there would be serious ramifications if it turns out Grandal was deceitful to the organization. 

“There aren’t going to be three strikes here, Fowler went on to say. “We will move aggressively if there’s another problem, and we want him to understand that. If we have been lied to and things have been misrepresented, it’s going to give us cause to ponder.”

Where do the Padres go from here? They’ll have a significant hole to fill, and San Diego could still be searching for answers. 

“I’m concerned as to whether or not we have the true story,” added Fowler. 


(sportssouthwest.com)