Report: Detroit Tigers’ Jhonny Peralta Accepts 50-Game Biogenesis-Related PED Suspension

Aug 3, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta (27) hits a home run in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve been expecting to hear this piece of news now for several weeks, but Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta will indeed receive and accept a 50-game suspension.

The Tigers have 53 games remaining on the schedule, so Peralta will theoretically be eligible to return for the final series of the season – which, somewhat humorously, takes place in Miami – and for the postseason. It’s unknown whether or not the Tigers would follow the example of the San Francisco Giants who left Melky Cabrera off the playoff roster following his suspension, if they would immediately return him to his starting position, or if they’d take him on the roster but not start him. I’m guessing the Tigers don’t even know at this point. It probably wil all depend on the play of Jose Iglesias and the overall health of the team come October.

The Tigers will certainly miss Jhonny’s bat for the next (basically) two months, and it’s a shame that he was involved with PEDs, but at the same time I would welcome him back at the end of the season. Not because I support cheating or “win at all cost” mentalities, but because I don’t think the club would be taking any sort of moral low ground by reinstating an eligible player.

Yes, his actions hurt the team, and I understand a desire for punishment there, but not including him on a potential postseason roster would also hurt the team. I don’t think spite is the best response for an organization going “all in” on a World Series ring. He’s losing out on roughly $2 million worth of game checks, he’s suffering embarrassment a the hands of his teammates, and he’s (very probably) not going to be re-signed by the organization. I think the Tigers should leave it at that.