Major League Baseball announced Tuesday Phillies reliever J.C. Romero is suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned substance.

Romero contends the supplement he took during the season was legal because he bought it over the counter at a nutrition store in the United States and that he called the penalty unfair, ESPN.com reported Monday night

The arbitrator ruled Romero was guilty of negligence. The penalty will cost the left-hander $1.25 million in salary.

Romero was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the World Series and the clinching Game 5 for the champion Phillies. He'll likely stay in Florida for extended spring training and could be ready to rejoin the team once his suspension is up.

Major league baseball