Ailing Watson suspended 50 games for drug violation

On Friday, it was announced that injured Phillies pitching prospect Shane Watson would miss the opening 50 games of the 2015 season, after being served with a suspension as a result of testing positive for a banned substance.

Reports stated that the illegal substance was not a performance enhancer, but instead was a drug of abuse.

The 21-year-old right-hander, who recently announced his engagement to be married via his Twitter account, missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair an enlarged capsule last winter.  Watson rehabbed this summer, but experienced a setback which was going to keep him out of action till next spring.

Watson’s injured status will not impact his suspension.  In fact, the required time off could force the young hurler to proceed at a much slower pace and could be good for his physical health in the long run.

Watson was chosen with the 40th overall pick by the Phillies in 2012.  He sports a 4-7 record with a 4.44 ERA and a .227 batting average against in 21 professional games.

Prior to the 2014 season, Watson was ranked as the Phils’ number 14 prospects by PhilliesNation.com.

Update: Watson responded to a request for comment via text message late Saturday morning.  He did not wish to comment on the circumstances surrounding his suspension, but offered the following thoughts on his rehab process, which he is conducting under the Phillies’ supervision in Florida:

“Nothing but good news (regarding my throwing shoulder) right now.  I just have to remember there’s no rush back and to take my time, but also push myself to the limit while giving myself enough rest.”

The California native has been throwing from flat ground and is up to a distance of 75 feet, doing so every other day without discomfort.