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A outfielder Ramón Laureano has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball due to a positive PED test. The league press release reads as follows:
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball today announced that Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramón Laureano has been suspended for 80 games without pay after testing positive for nandrolone, a performance enhancing substance in violation of the joint program. Major League Baseball Drug Prevention and Treatment Center.
Laureano’s suspension takes effect immediately.
The As issued their own statement:
“The As were disappointed to learn of this suspension. We fully support the MLB Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and will welcome Ramón again after the discipline has been served.”
Laureano, 27, hits 0.246 / 0.317 / 0.443 (112 OPS +) with 21 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 39 RBIs, 12 interceptions, 43 points and 2.4 WAR over the season. The As have 80 games left this season, so the suspension will bleed until 2022. He is also ineligible for any playoff games the As may have. Laureano issued the following statement:
“I would never knowingly ingest any banned substance and endanger the game I have loved all my life. When I found out I had tested positive for nandrolone I was shocked. I take it big care for my body and have a.Based on the tiny amount that was briefly in my body, I learned that it was likely to be contamination from something I had ingested .
“I was educated on DEPs through the RBI program and Baseball Factory while growing up. I know I don’t need any of these to play on the baseball field. All of my athletic success has come. for my hard work, focus and dedication to the game. ”
“I would like to apologize for any distraction this may cause my teammate, Billy Beane, David Forst, and the entire organization, community and Oakland fans.”
“I’m devastated. Anyone who really knows me as a person knows how much I love the game and that I would never intentionally do something like this.”
Announcements like this happen after the appeal process, so it’s likely the A’s have already had an idea of what was to come. They acquired Starling Marte before the trade deadline and played him down center, a move that moved Laureano to right field. The acquisition of Marte becomes an even bigger deal than it already was in light of this news. He’s reached .360 / .429 / .520 with five interceptions in six games for the As so far.
The A’s now need a new right fielder. Stephen Piscotty could fill the role, but he’s having a dismal year with the Bat. Josh Harrison could complete there, as could Tony Kemp. Chad Pinder could also be an option once he recovers from his hamstring injury.
The As enter 61-48 Friday night, four games away from the Astros in the AL West. They hold second place in the AL wild card, with just a 1 1/2 game lead over the Yankees, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Blue Jays and 3 1/2 ahead of the Mariners. The start of a three-game series against the last-place Rangers on Friday in Oakland.
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