(New York) San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., one of major league baseball’s biggest rising stars, was suspended for 80 games Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
The sanction imposed by Major League Baseball authorities goes into effect immediately, meaning Tatis Jr. will not be able to play in the Major Leagues this year. He will miss the remaining 48 games of the regular season and the first 32 of the next season.
Tatis Jr., 23, was a star last season after leading the National League with 42 home runs. Spectacular at bat and defensively, Tatis Jr. had not yet played this season, following a fracture to his left wrist during training.
According to Major League Baseball, Tatis Jr. tested positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance.
“It turns out that I inadvertently took a ringworm medication containing Clostebol,” Tatis said in a statement released by the Players Association. “I should have used available resources to make sure there were no banned substances in what I took. What I couldn’t do. »
“I have no excuse for my mistake and would never do anything to deceive or disrespect this sport I love,” he said. I’m completely devastated. »
Freddy Galvis and Dee Gordon are among Major League players previously suspended for using Clostebol, an anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmic and dermatological purposes. It is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and cross-country skier Therese Johaug, an Olympic gold medalist, was suspended in 2016 after testing positive.
Tatis was on the injured list this season after breaking his left wrist in mid-March.
He had recently embarked on a rehab program with the Padres’ farm at AA level, and the California team, which aspires to a playoff qualification, hoped that Tatis Jr. could return and increase his chances in the final stretch of the schedule.
“We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the MLB Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and subsequently received an 80-game suspension without pay,” they said. the executives of Padres in a statement. .
“We fully support the program and hope that Fernando learns from this experience. »
In early August, the Padres acquired former champion Juan Soto to increase their chances of a long playoff campaign. In their quest for a first World Series, the Padres hoped that a hit list that included Soto, Tatis Jr. team. crew.
The penalty will cost Tatis nearly 2.9 million.
“There’s nowhere else in the world that I want to be on the pitch with my teammates,” Tatis said. After appealing the decision, I initially realized that my mistake led to the consequence and so I decided to start serving my suspension immediately. I look forward to joining my teammates on the field in 2023.”
The sanction was announced moments before the clash between the Padres and the Nationals in Washington. The Californian club started the day with a 63-51 record, occupying the last place of the National’s called-up teams.
