Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson(notes) 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.
“It was a prescribed medication, dietary supplement,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said Friday night in Pittsburgh, before the Royals played the Pirates. “He informed all interested parties that he was taking it and it still got flagged.” ... “During the offseason, Sidney consulted with a physician about weight loss and was prescribed a common appetite suppressant,” said Ponson’s agent, Barry Praver. “Under the belief that this was sufficient, he did not seek further authorization, which he now understands would have been granted.
“Notably, Sidney voluntarily disclosed the use of the appetite suppressant at the time of testing. Nevertheless, Sidney accepts the penalty imposed even though he certainly was not seeking to enhance his performance nor does anyone involved in the matter believe so,” Praver said.
Oh, and there's that "accepts responsibility" line again...
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by JTWood » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:32 pm 
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