Ponson given two year ban

The Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson has been banned from playing for the Netherlands for two years after failing a drugs test at this year's World Baseball Classic. Ponson, 32, who is on the Kansas disabled list because of a strained right elbow, tested positive for the weight-loss drug Phentermine, according to the International Baseball Federation. However, the suspension will have no impact on the player's Major League status or contract with Kansas.

"It was a diet pill under the prescription of a doctor and he was very forthright and made the testing body aware of what he was taking," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. Ponson's agent, Barry Praver, said in a statement: "During the off-season, Sidney consulted with a physician about weight loss and was prescribed a common appetite suppressant. "Under the belief that this was sufficient, he did not seek further authorisation, which he now understands would have been granted."

Ponson is 1-5 this season with a 7.27 ERA for the Royals this season. * Reuters