Former Colorado Rockies second-basemen and current Yomiuri Giant Luis Gonzalez was suspended Tuesday for taking clobenzorex, amphetamine and parahydroxyamfetamine — all stimulants banned by the NPB. The suspension is for one year, but Yomiuri has already said it plans to release the 28-year-old Venezuelan.

From Japanball:

”We want to believe that he did not take those substances intentionally but we plan to sever ties with him,” Yomiuri club representative Hidetoshi Kiyotake said. ”It’s a shame because our front office has repeatedly spoken to the players about doping and we deeply apology to our fans.”

Gonzalez is the second player to receive a suspension for doping after NPB began full-fledged drug tests last year.

Last August, Softbank right-hander Rick Guttormson was suspended for 20 days for the use of finasteride, which was contained in the hair-growing agent he had been taking for about two years.

I’m wondering if this means we could see the return of Lee Seung-yeop. According to Simon Currie, Lee was sent down to the minors because Gonzalez was playing so well. Guess we know why. Yomiuri has already said it will release Gonzalez.

Gonzalez was batting .307/.357/.421 with 2 HRs and 17 RBI in 32 games and 114 ABs.