Antonio Bastardo 'acknowledged his serious mistake'

Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo was suspended 50 games Monday for violating the joint drug prevention and treatment program in relation to the Biogenesis investigation, MLB announced. Bastardo will not appeal his suspension and it immediately goes into effect.

"Obviously, the Phillies are very disappointed to learn of Antonio Bastardo's violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Program," Phillies president and CEO David Montgomery said in a press release. "We strongly believe in the Program and look forward to a time when performance enhancing drugs are completely out of baseball. Hopefully the sanctions announced today will bring us closer to that day. We respect the fact that Antonio has acknowledged his serious mistake and accepted his 50-game suspension."