Romero, Mitre Suspended 50 Games Each by MLB

Arnold pleaded guilty in 2006 to one count of conspiracy to distribute steroids as part of the federal prosecution of the Bay Area Laboratory-Cooperative. Arnold, who created the previously undetectable steroid "the clear," was sentenced to three months in prison and three months' home confinement

This is a 2008 file photo showing baseball pitcher Sergio Mitre in a Florida marlins uniform. ...

This is a 2008 file photo showing baseball pitcher Sergio Mitre in a Florida marlins uniform. Mitre, now a minor league pitcher for the Yankees, and Phildelphia Phillies reliever J.R. Romero were suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance. The suspensions were announced Tuesday Jan. 6, 2009 by Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)

(AP)

Mitre tested positive for Halodrol.

Both supplements contain Androstenetrione as a listed ingredient and apparently were contaminated with Androstenedione, the substance Mark McGwire used in the 1990s. While Androstenedione was banned by baseball in 2004, Androstenetrione is not specifically listed as a prohibited substance.

"I still cannot see where I did something wrong," Romero was quoted as saying by ESPN.com. "There is nothing that should take away from the rings of my teammates. I didn't cheat. I tried to follow the rules."

Mitre said in a statement issued by his agent, Paul Cobbe, that he purchased the supplement at a GNC.

"I did take the supplement in question, and accept full responsibility for taking it," Mitre said. "It contained a `contaminant' amount of an illegal, performance-enhancing drug. This was not listed as an ingredient on the packaging, should not have been in the supplement and certainly should not have been available for legal purchase at a store. Despite this, I do accept my punishment because, as a professional, I have a responsibility for what I put into my body."

Mitre is with the New York Yankees' Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Triple-A team after spending 2008 on the Florida Marlins' disabled list. He had elbow ligament replacement surgery in July 15 and reached an agreement with the Yankees in November.

"It's kind of a bitter pill to swallow," Cobbe said. "He made a false assumption that stuff you buy at a GNC is legal. He purchased an illegal drug legally."

If the Phillies have no postponements during the first two months of the season, Romero would be eligible to return June 1 and the suspension would cost him $1,245,902 of his $4 million salary.