San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing drug in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Tatis’ suspension, which was announced by MLB on Friday, is effective immediately, meaning the All-Star shortstop cannot play in the majors this year. In a statement, Tatis said he is not appealing the ban as it was his “mistake” that led to the positive test.
“It turns out that I accidentally took a ringworm medication that contained Clostebol,” Tatis said. “I should have used the resources available to me to ensure that there were no banned substances in what I took. I failed to do that.
“I want to apologize to Peter [Seidler], AJ [Preller], the entire Padres organization, my teammates, Major League Baseball and fans everywhere for my mistake. I have no excuse for my mistake and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love I have taken countless drug tests throughout my professional career including March 29, 2022 all of which have come back negative until this test.
“I am absolutely devastated. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than on the pitch competing with my teammates. After initially appealing the suspension, I have realized that my mistake was the reason for this result and for that reason have decided to begin serving my suspension immediately. I look forward to joining my teammates on the field in 2023.”
Tatis was on a minor league rehab assignment after missing the first four months of the season with a broken left wrist, the result of a motorcycle accident that required surgery. He will now be on the restricted list for the final 48 games of the Padres’ regular season. Every postseason game the Padres play this season counts toward Tatis’ 80 games. The remainder of the suspension will be served at the beginning of the 2023 season.
Padres general manager Preller called the suspension “very disappointing” and said the team hoped to see more maturity out of their young star.
“He’s someone that, from an organizational standpoint, we’ve invested time and money in,” Preller told reporters. “When he’s on the field, he makes a difference. You have to learn from the situations. We were hoping from the offseason to now there would be some maturity, and obviously with the news today, it’s more of a pattern and it’s something we’ve got to dig in a little bit more. … I’m sure he’s very disappointed. But at the end of the day, saying that is one thing. You’ve got to start showing by your actions.”
Preller added: “I think what we need to get to is a point where we trust [him]. Over the last six or seven months, that’s something we haven’t really been able to to have there.
“I think from our point of view he’s obviously a great talent, he’s a guy we have a lot of history with and believe in, but these things only work when there’s trust both ways.”
Freddy Galvis and Dee Gordon are among the major leaguers previously suspended for using Clostebol, an anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmic and dermatological uses. It is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and Olympic gold medal-winning cross-country skier Therese Johaug was suspended in 2016 after testing positive for it.
Preller said he found out about the suspension late Friday afternoon. He said he had not yet spoken to Tatis but had seen his player’s statement.
“Again, that’s his story,” Preller said. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it yet. Ultimately, it’s his explanation. I think the biggest thing, just from our standpoint, from a baseball standpoint, is a drug policy in place. He failed a drug screen, for whatever reason.
“At the end of the day he’s suspended and can’t play. That’s the biggest thing. It’s a player’s responsibility to make sure he abides by that. He wasn’t. At the end of the day he supports it and wants to make sure that he gets it.”
MLB said the suspension will also rule Tatis out of playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Tatis, 23, is one of the biggest stars in MLB, the centerpiece of several marketing campaigns and in the second season of a 14-year, $340 million contract.
After emerging as a star in his rookie season as a 20-year-old, Tatis, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound shortstop whose power, speed and flair for the spectacular won him legions of fans, finished fourth in the National League MVP voting in his second campaign. Last year he was even better, signing the record deal, finishing third in the MVP voting and solidifying himself as one of the game’s best players.
The Padres collapsed down the stretch, but had high hopes for 2022 after hiring Bob Melvin as their new manager. During the lockout that delayed spring training, Tatis broke his wrist in a motorcycle accident. San Diego vowed to take its rehab slowly and was teeming with anticipation for a lineup with Tatis leading the way, new acquisition Juan Soto hitting second and third baseman Manny Machado at third.
The penalty was announced shortly before the Padres played in Washington. San Diego began the day at 63-51 and held the final three NL wild-card spots.
The suspension will cost Tatis a maximum of $2.9 million. Tatis will forfeit $1,510,989 of his $5 million salary this year, covering the final 55 days and 48 games of the season. He will forfeit approximately $1.39 million of his $7 million salary for the first 32 games of next season, with the exact number to be determined by how many days he misses.
In 273 career games, Tatis is hitting .292/.369/.569 with 81 home runs, 192 RBIs and 52 stolen bases.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Aug 12 (Reuters) – San Diego Padres all-star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug Clostebol, Major League Baseball said Friday.
What did Tatis test positive for?
MLB said Tatis tested positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid. Tatis said he accidentally took a medication to treat ringworm that contained the banned substance.
What was Tatis suspended for? Tatis, a 23-year-old superstar, was suspended 80 games by the M.L.B. after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift items to give each month.
How long is Tatis suspension?
The 23-year-old shortstop was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. That means he will miss the rest of 2022, be ineligible for the postseason and miss the first 32 games of 2023.
Is Clostebol a PED?
“The Commissioner of Baseball announced today that SD Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Clostebol, a PED substance in violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” said release.
Is Fernando Tatis JR suspended?
San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. ‘ruined’ by 80-game suspension for PED violation. San Diego Padres superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
How long is Tatis suspension?
The 23-year-old shortstop was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. That means he will miss the rest of 2022, be ineligible for the postseason and miss the first 32 games of 2023.
Is Clostebol a PED? “The Commissioner of Baseball announced today that SD Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Clostebol, a PED substance in violation of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” said release.
Is Fernando Tatis JR suspended?
San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. ‘ruined’ by 80-game suspension for PED violation. San Diego Padres superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
What did Fernando Tatis Jr take?
San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing drug in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
What is a PED violation in baseball? According to MLB’s Drug Prevention And Treatment Program policy, a player who tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance receives an 80-game suspension. A second offense carries a suspension equal to the total number of championship season games in the league. A third offense results in a permanent ban.