JC Romero given 50 game ban

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher JC Romero has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, Major League Baseball (MLB) said on Tuesday.

Romero''s ban will be effective from the start of the 2009 season, MLB said in a statement.

The left-hander, who posted two victories in the World Series win over the Tampa Bay Rays last year, said he used a supplement which had previously been approved by MLB and the Players'' Association.

"I still cannot see where I did something wrong," Romero told ESPN.com. "There is nothing that should take away from the (World Series) rings of my team mates.

"I didn''t cheat. I tried to follow the rules."

A report on MLB.com said Romero had twice tested positive for the unspecified supplement, on August 26 before a game against the New York Mets and on September 19 before a game against the Florida Marlins.

His ban casts a shadow over Philadelphia''s World Series win.

Romero pitched eight times in the post-season, taking credit for wins in Games Three and Five of the World Series.

MLB also said New York Yankees pitching prospect Sergio Mitre had received a 50-game suspension for a failed drug test.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Tony Jimenez)