Orioles' Harvey suspended 60 games for drug distribution

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Matt Harvey was suspended 60 games without pay "for participating in the distribution of a prohibited drug of abuse in violation of Major League Baseball's joint drug prevention and treatment program," the league announced Tuesday.

Harvey's suspension is retroactive to April 29.

"We support all aspects of MLB's joint drug prevention and treatment program and their ruling in this particular case," Orioles general manager Mike Elias said in a statement.

"I am glad that Matt now has the opportunity to put this part of his past behind him and pursue another shot with our organization after serving his suspension."

The 33-year-old Harvey told a court in February that he provided Percocet to former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs during a 2019 stint with the club.

Harvey was testifying during the trial of former Angels employee Eric Kay, who was convicted of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Prosecutors said Kay supplied Skaggs with the fentanyl-laced pills that led to the pitcher's overdose death in Dallas on July 1, 2019.

Harvey signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles in April after spending the 2021 campaign with them.