Edinson Volquez’s Suspension Is Effective Immediately

As you’ve undoubtedly heard by now, rehabbing Reds starter Edinson Volquez has been suspended 50 games after failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs. What you may not have heard is that his suspension will begin...now.

Because, pursuant to the drug testing policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Edison Volquez’s suspension begins immediately. As in, while he’s still on the disabled list due to recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Because Volquez can serve his suspension while on the disabled list, he won’t actually miss any games, as he’s still recovering from elbow surgery and wasn’t expected to return for several months. He’ll lose a significant amount of money - roughly $137k or so of his $445k 2010 salary - but there will certainly be some degree of outrage over the fact that Volquez’s drug use won’t cost him any Major League action.