Former Columbia player fails MLB steroid test

Published April 20, 2006

WEST COLUMBIA — Former Columbia High School and University of Houston pitcher Matt Varner has had his baseball career derailed by a positive test for steroids.

Varner, a 2000 graduate, has been suspended 50 games for violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

An 11th-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres in 2004, Varner had been pitching for Class A Lake Elsinore in California.

The 312th overall pick was 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA in four games with the Storm this year. Last season, Varner led the Midwest League with

34 saves in 47 appearances and earned 100 relief points. He was rewarded with a position on the Midwest League All-Star team.

Overall, Varner has appeared in 87 minor league games and is 7-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 96 innings of work. In 2004 he pitched for Eugene, Ore., where he was 1-2 and posted a 3.45 ERA. From there he was promoted to the Fort Wayne Wizards, where he ended up 2-2 and a 1.61 ERA.

Earning first-team all-Brazoria County honors after his senior year in high school, the 6-foot, 200-pound pitcher headed to Angelina Junior College. He played a season at Louisiana Tech before pitching at the University of Houston.

He posted a 7-4 record with a 4.03 ERA in 89 1/3 with 69 strikeouts for the Cougars.

Under Major League Baseball’s newly adopted drug policy, a second positive test for steroids results in a suspension of 100 games. A third test results in a lifetime ban from baseball.