NEW YORK – Ryan Braun’s appeal of his positive drug test began Thursday before baseball arbitrator Shyam Das.
The start of the National League MVP’s appeal, first reported by the New York Daily News, was confirmed by a person familiar with the session who spoke on condition of anonymity because the proceeding was not to be made public.
Calls to Braun’s agent, Nez Balelo, and Major League Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney were not returned.
When the positive drug test was first reported by ESPN.com last month, Braun had a spokesman issue a statement saying there were circumstances supporting “Ryan’s complete innocence.”
Under the joint drug agreement between baseball teams and the players’ association, Braun will have to prove “the presence of a prohibited substance in his urine was not due to his fault or negligence.”
As Braun tries to avoid a 50-game suspension, the burden is a heavy one to overcome. A baseball arbitrator has never ordered a suspension overturned following a grievance hearing.
The person did not know whether the hearing had concluded or whether it would extend into at least one more session. Typically in grievances, after the hearing the sides may submit written final arguments before the arbitrator rules.
MLB has not confirmed the
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