Not many details have come out yet about the 50-game suspension of reliever Juan Salas for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Under rules of the drug program, neither MLB nor players union officials are allowed to discuss specifics, and neither can the team. The only people who can speak up are Salas and agent Myles Kahn, and they apparently are not returning calls. Until they do, no one will know Salas' side of the story.

As it is now, he is suspended immediately and would be eligible to return July 2. He'll lose about one-third of his $382,200 salary. The Rays will add Tim Corcoran to the roster on Tuesday to take his space. They already were bringing up Chad Orvella to replace Ruddy Lugo.

All major-league players are subject to a test within the first five days of spring training, and then at least one additional random test. Under the program, a player's opportunity to appeal comes before the punishment is announced so Salas has no recourse. He is expected to spend much of his time off at the team's minor-league complex in St. Petersburg so he can continue working out to be in shape for his return.

The suspension was announced shortly before the Rays met at Tropicana Field for the trip to Baltimore. Veteran reliever Al Reyes, speaking to the Times' Eduardo Encina in the lobby of the team's hotel, said he and others found out when the arrived at the ballpark. "I'm surprised,'' he said.