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This just in:
Marlon Byrd suspended 50 games for violating PED test. He had been working with Victor Conte.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) June 25, 2012
Marlon Byrd was traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Boston Red Sox earlier in this season, but after posting a .270/.286/.320 line in 106 plate appearances for Boston (after going .070/.149/.070 in 47 plate appearances with the Cubs), Boston released Byrd.
The rules provide that Byrd's suspension doesn't kick in until he signs with a new team, so at this point, given his weak 2011 season, his disastrous 2012 season, and the fact that he turns 35 in August, this could be the end of Byrd's career.
Byrd taking supplements provided by Conte was the subject of some controversy in 2009, Byrd's final season with the Rangers.
And of course, Byrd's departure from the Rangers resulted in them being awarded a supplemental first round pick (#49 overall) in the 2010 draft as compensation. They used that pick on Mike Olt.