Report: Medication caused Braun's positive test

The baseball world was shocked earlier this month when reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Now sources are telling TMZ that the test was not caused by PEDs but by a medication the slugger was taking for an undisclosed ailment.

"The medication contained banned substances resulting in the positive test," the source told TMZ, adding that Braun insists he has never taken any performance-enhancing drugs or steroids.

TMZ only identifies the unnamed sources as people "directly connected to Major League Baseball."

It is unclear why the player was taking the medication or whether he knew if the medication contained banned substances.

The Brewers star, who is appealing the result to an arbitrator, would face a 50-game suspension if the positive test is upheld.

Last week, baseball's union head says people should wait for all the facts before making conclusions about Braun. Players' association leader Michael Weiner said that the drug agreement is designed to protect a player from "a rush to judgment," adding that "fairness dictates that Ryan Braun be treated no differently."