Many around Major League Baseball were surprised when they heard about Melky Cabrera's 50-game suspension and that list includes Giants general manager Brian Sabean.
Sabean spoke publicly about the suspension Thursday, telling the Associated Press he was "taken aback" when he heard the news.
"I was actually in the meeting with Bruce (Bochy) when he talked to the players and I kind of got emotional because I didn't see something like this coming." Sabean said, according to the Associated Press. "We've all been around this game a long time. You get used to making changes and adjustments. Things happen out of left field, a lot like life, and this was one of those things you're punched in the stomach with. But you've got no choice but to figure out how to move on."
While the news may have come out of left field, Sabean said he first heard the rumor of a failed drug test roughly a month ago.
"When it first came out, I think we were taken aback and wondering if it was rumor or it had any substance," Sabean said.
The Giants will now attempt to replace Cabrera in the lineup. The trade deadline acquisition of Hunter Pence should help, a deal which Sabean said was not influenced by rumors of a failed drug test.
For more on Cabrera and the Giants, head over to McCovey Chronicles.