Marlins catcher Paulino suspended after positive drug test

MIAMI -- Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino was suspended for 50 games Friday after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance under Major League Baseball's drug policy.

Paulino's suspension begins immediately. The Marlins are scheduled to host the Houston Astros on Friday night.

"To control my weight this season, I used a dietary pill," Paulino said in a statement released by the team. "I recently learned that the dietary pill contained a substance banned under Major League Baseball's drug policy. I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans."

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Paulino is batting .259 with four homers and 37 RBIs in his sixth season in the majors. He got off to a solid start this year but has struggled since the All-Star break, hitting .195 with just one home run.

Florida (60-60) began the day 10ˆ½ games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves and eight back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild-card race.

"I accept full responsibility and all consequences for this mistake, and therefore choose not to challenge my suspension," the 29-year-old Paulino said. "I was irresponsible for failing to take all precautionary steps in confirming the approval of the dietary pill. Without a doubt, I have learned from my mistake."

Paulino is the second player to be suspended this year under the major league drug policy. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez received a 50-game ban in April for a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.

Paulino, a native of the Dominican Republic, began his big league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was traded three times after the 2008 season, landing in Florida when the Marlins acquired him from San Francisco for a minor league pitcher.

The Marlins placed Paulino on the restricted list and recalled catcher Chad Davis from Triple-A New Orleans.