Rockies' Eliezer Alfonzo suspended 100 games for second positive drug test
By Troy E. Renck
The Denver Post

Colorado Rockies' catcher Eliezer Alfonzo. (Jack Dempsey, The Associated Press)

Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo became only the second major league player to test positive twice for a performance-enhancing drug, earning a 100-game suspension today.

Alfonzo joins disgraced slugger Manny Ramirez as the only other two-time offender. Ramirez retired in April from the Tampa Bay Rays rather than serve his suspension. Alfonzo, 32, plans to contest the latest findings.

"I am surprised by this positive test. I learned my lesson in 2008 and have not taken any prohibited substances since then," Alfonzo said in a statement. "With the union's help I intend to fight this suspension."

Until recently, the Venezuelan native had been serving as the Rockies' backup catcher behind Chris Iannetta. However, he
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hasn't started since Sept. 4 because of the arrival of rookie Wilin Rosario.

A Rockies club official said Alfonzo has not been released. Alfonzo pinch hit in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. He's batting .267 with one home run, a grand slam against the Padres on the night of the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, in 25 games.

The Rockies issued the following statement regarding Alfonzo:

"The Colorado Rockies have long been committed to eliminating the use of performance-enhancing substances from the game of baseball. We have fully supported the adoption and implementation of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. There is no place in baseball for such substances, and we have and will continue to do what we can to eliminate them from our game."

The 5-foot-11-inch, 220-pounder was first suspended in September 2008 for 50 games while a member of the San Francisco Giants. He said then that he never knowingly took steroids but had used a medicine for bronchitis. A third positive test would result in a lifetime ban.

Alfonzo's suspension comes just three weeks after Rockies' Triple-A first baseman Mike Jacobs became the first baseball player to test positive for human growth hormone. The Rockies released Jacobs on the day his suspension was announced.

Even before today's suspension, Alfonzo's future with the Rockies was uncertain. Rosario is considered the catcher of the future and will likely team with Iannetta or another veteran next season.

The club lost Alfonzo's former Triple-A teammate Matt Pagnozzi to the Pirates today. The Pirates claimed the catcher off waivers. He was designated for assignment last Sunday when the Rockies created roster space following infielder Tommy Field's promotion.