OF Marlon Byrd has been suspended by Major League Baseball for 162 games for testing positive for the growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin. It's Byrd's second positive test for PED's. The 38-year-old Byrd is not appealing the suspension. Byrd spoke to his teammates in a team meeting on Wednesday. "He basically told the guys, 'My career is over, and this is not how I wanted it to end,' " manager Terry Francona said.

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians' already depleted outfield corps took another hit on Wednesday. Veteran Marlon Byrd was suspended for 162 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for PED. The suspension effectively ends the career of the 38-year-old Byrd, who told his teammates exactly that in a team meeting Wednesday."He basically told the guys, 'My career is over, and this is not how I wanted it to end'," Indians manager Terry Francona said.Going forward, the Indians' outfield situation is more uncertain than ever. Even with Byrd, the Indians were short in the outfield. Infielder Jose Ramirez has started 24 games in left field, more than anyone on the team. Francona said Wednesday that second baseman Michael Martinez might see some playing time in the outfield.The only true outfielders on the roster are Rajai Davis, Lonnie Chisenhall, and rookie Tyler Naquin, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday to take the roster spot vacated by Byrd. Former top draft picks... [More]

Cleveland Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd was handed a 162-game suspension from Major League Baseball on Wednesday for using performance-enhancing drugs.The 38-year-old Byrd, who tested positive for the growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin, accepted responsibility and will not appeal. He also was suspended for 50 games in 2012 after testing positive for Taxoxifen.The suspension begins immediately.Byrd joined the Indians before the 2016 season after signing a minor league contract. He made the major league team out of spring training and was batting .270 with five home runs and 19 RBIs.The PED suspension was the second to hit Indians outfielders this year. Before the season, Abraham Almonte drew an 80-game suspension after a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone.Byrd's first suspension in 2012 came after he said he used Taxoxifen on a physician's advice after surgery."Since that time, I have paid close attention to the substances that are banned by the Joint Drug Agreement,... [More]

OF Marlon Byrd went 4-for-4 with two singles, a double and a home run in a losing cause Monday. It's the 15th four-hit game of Byrd's career. He is the fourth Indians player to have a four-hit game this year.

OF Marlon Byrd is heating up for Cleveland. After going 1-for-3 with a game-tying, two-run home run in the Indians' 7-6 loss Monday to start a doubleheader at the White Sox, Byrd was 10-for-34 (.294) with two doubles, two homers and 10 RBIs in his last nine games. He didn't play in the second game.

OF Marlon Byrd drove in three of the Indians' seven runs with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, and a big two-run double in the eighth. Byrd, who will turn 39 in August, has played for 10 major league teams in his 15-year career. "He's a smart hitter. You don't last as long as he has by only being strong," manager Terry Francona said.

LF Marlon Byrd's second home run of the season proved to be the decisive run in the Indians' 2-1 victory Friday night over Detroit.He is hitting .250 in 11 games with the Indians and gives Cleveland some punch either off the bench or in the lineup.

RF Marlon Byrd went 2-for-3 and hit his first home run with the Indians, the 10th team with which he has gone deep. He is the fifth player to homer for 10 teams, joining Matt Stairs, Todd Zeile, Jose Guillen and Russell Branyan. "My role is whatever they need me to do, I'm here to do," Byrd said.

CLEVELAND -- The Indians will begin their first road trip, a six-game trip to Chicago and Tampa Bay, on Friday with their left field situation still in a state of flux. This is due to the injury to Michael Brantley, who is on the disabled list as he continues his recovery from offseason surgery on his right (non-throwing) shoulder.When Brantley will be activated off the DL is not certain. Indians officials declined to put any target date on his return, but the conventional wisdom is that he will likely be back sometime before the end of the month. Until then, Manager Terry Francona is faced with the challenge of making a daily decision on who should play left field.In the first two games of the season Francona used Marlon Byrd and Jose Ramirez as the starters in left field. Byrd was signed as a free agent halfway through spring training. In addition to Byrd, the other outfielders on the roster are Collin Cowgill, Rajai Davis, and Tyler Naquin. Lonnie Chisenhall, the expected starter in... [More]

OF Marlon Byrd officially signed a minor league contract with the Indians on Friday (March 18) with a non-roster invitation to major league spring training camp. Byrd, 38, spent the 2015 season between the Reds and Giants, hitting a combined .247 with 23 home runs and 73 RBIs in 135 games. He has hit at least 20 homers and 70 RBIs in each of the last three seasons.Byrd owns a career major league batting average of .275 with 154 home runs and 691 RBIs in 1,539 games since debuting with the Phillies in 2002.

The Cleveland Indians signed free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd to minor league contract Friday with a non-roster invitation to major league spring training camp.Byrd, 38, spent the 2015 season between the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, hitting a combined .247 with 23 home runs and 73 RBIs in 135 games. He has hit at least 20 homers and 70 RBIs in each of the last three seasons.Byrd owns a career major league batting average of .275 with 154 home runs and 691 RBIs in 1,539 games since debuting with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2002.

OF Marlon Byrd signed with Cleveland on a minor league deal Thursday. Byrd has about two weeks to show he still can be a contributor and make the Indians' roster. Cleveland could use depth in the outfield with Michael Brantley working his way back from injury and Abraham Almonte suspended. Byrd is 38, but he has pop in his bat: 23 home runs and 73 RBIs last season.

OF Marlon Byrd's $8 million contract option was declined by the Giants on Nov. 4, making him a free agent. There was no buyout money involved. In 39 games for San Francisco after arriving in a midseason trade to fill in for injured RF Hunter Pence, Byrd hit .272/.301/.463 with four homers and 31 RBIs. In 135 games overall for the Reds and the Giants, the 38-year-old veteran batted .247/.290/.453 with 23 homers and 73 RBIs.

Byrd is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy will give the 38-year-old Byrd a day off for the season finale. Unless he receives a pinch-hitting appearance later in the contest, Byrd will finish 2015 with 23 homers, 73 RBI, and a .246 average across 505 at-bats.

Byrd is in the starting lineup Thursday against the Giants.

With 15 plate appearances remaining before an $8 million option is vested, Byrd is not expected to see much more run after Thursday. Look for him to be rested for much of the upcoming weekend's contests.

Byrd is unlikely to see a high volume of reps during the final week of the season, Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area reports.

Byrd needs just 15 more plate appearances to vest an $8 million dollar option, so the financially-conscious Giants will likely be resting the outfielder often. In his stead, look for Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson to see extra reps in an outfield that has been ravaged by injuries in 2015.

Byrd is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

The 38-year-old will receive a day off, just his third since joining the Giants, after the team was officially eliminated from postseason contention with a loss Tuesday. Jarrett Parker will start in right field and bat fifth against right-hander Mike Bolsinger.

Byrd is out of Sunday's lineup against the Diamondbacks, Alex Pavlovic of the CSN Bay Area reports.

Following a 0-for-8 stretch with five strikeouts Friday and Saturday, Byrd will take a day off Sunday. Jarrett Parker will receive the start in his place, batting fifth for the Giants.

Byrd went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, a run scored, and an RBI in Wednesday's win over the Reds.

Byrd continues to swing a hot bat since being acquired by the Giants. His home run rate has decreased from 18.9 AB/HR to 32.7 AB/HR switching to the cavernous AT&T Park, but he has been hitting for a better average (.306) and has driven in 25 RBI in 25 games since coming to San Francisco. With the Giants shutting down several of their veteran outfielders due to injury, Byrd has become a mainstay in the everyday lineup.

Byrd went 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and a walk in Saturday's 8-0 drubbing of the Padres.

Byrd's fourth inning RBI double drove in the first two of seven runs that opposing pitcher Ian Kennedy would allow. The streaky Byrd has been on a tear lately, enjoying a 14-for-25 stretch. With Brandon Crawford, Hunter Pence, and Gregor Blanco all out of the lineup with injuries, Byrd has a safe position in the heart of San Francisco's order. Byrd's hot hitting makes him an enticing option in daily leagues.