That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies reliever Steve Geltz suspended for drug use

By John Town

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Steven Geltz #54 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 24, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Steven Geltz #54 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 24, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Any chance Steve Geltz had of making the Phillies major-league roster ended Saturday as he was suspended 100 games for drug use by the league.

The Phillies gave Steve Geltz a chance to make the major-league roster when they invited him to spring training this offseason. Now, that chance is essentially through as Geltz was suspended by the league for 100 games for a third failed drug test.

This suspension was not for a stimulant or performance enhancing drug, but rather for a drug of abuse. Geltz was suspended back in 2014 while he was with the Rays for marijuana use. It was his second failed drug test as their is no suspension for a first failed drug test. There is no indication about which drug Geltz tested positive for.

Geltz was one of several non-roster invitees pushing for a spot in the bullpen. He pitched last year in the Dodgers’ minor-league system, which new manager Gabe Kapler was in charge of. That connection could be what gave him the edge to make the roster if he had a good spring. Instead, his suspension will begin once the regular season does, nullifying any chance he had of making the team.

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Geltz’s suspension gives Pedro Beato, J.D. Hammer, and Francisco Rodriguez better chances of cracking the roster. With the team expected to carry an eight-man bullpen, there is more of a chance for any of these guys to make the roster.

The 30-year-old Geltz last pitched in the majors with the Rays in 2016. In 108 games over three years there, he had a 4.23 ERA, 1.150 WHIP, and 2.30 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He set a team record in 2015 by retiring 32 consecutive batters. In Triple-A with the Dodgers last year, he made 23 appearances, posting a 2.67 ERA, 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings, and 4.0 walks per nine.

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When Geltz’s suspension does end, he will likely be in Triple-A Lehigh Valley if Philadelphia doesn’t release him. Perhaps at the end of the season, if he’s still around, Geltz could reach the majors, but those chances seem slim.

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