Suspended outfielder Melky Cabrera has asked the Giants when he can report to the club’s minor league complex to prepare for the postseason. The response he has gotten back is silence.
The Giants have no plans to bring Cabrera, the former Yankee who failed a drug test in August, back for the playoffs, according to a CSNBayArea.com report.
The club is not commenting publicly on the matter, but upper management has no interest in the All-Star Game MVP playing another game for the San Francisco franchise. He is a free agent this winter. If the Giants were to advance beyond five games in postseason, Cabrera would be allowed to return.
Cabrera was given a 50-game suspension Aug. 15 for testing positive for testosterone in violation of the league’s drug policy. Cabrera, a first-time offender, sought to appeal the suspension and initally denied he took any perfomance-enhancing substances. A liaison hired by his agents created a phony website and product in an effort to explain the test results.
Eventually, with egg on his face, Cabrera released a statement through the players union taking responsibility and apologizing.
Cabrera could report to the Giants’ complex in Arizona at any time, league officials told CSN Bay Area. But he cannot take part in any formal team activities on a rehab basis until he has served 40 games of his suspension.
Cabrera has already forfeited about $1.6 million in salary and much more with his impending free agency.