Oakland A’s star outfielder Ramon Laureano suspended for 80 games due to positive drug test
(Ramon Laureano suspended for 80 games without pay, Image credit: Twitter)
On August 6, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced that 27-year-old Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramón Laureano got slammed with an 80-game suspension – without pay – after testing positive for Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing substance that violates the MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Laureano’s suspension became effective immediately upon yesterday’s announcement
Also yesterday, the Oakland Athletics commented on Laureano’s suspension:
“The A’s were disappointed to learn of this suspension. We fully support MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and we will welcome Ramón back after the discipline has been served.”
For his part, the righthanded batter and thrower appeared to be taken completely by surprise regarding Nandrolone being present in his system. “I would never knowingly ingest any banned substance and put the game that I’ve loved all my life at risk. When I found out that I tested positive for Nandrolone, I was shocked,” Laureano said in a statement released by the MLB players’ union.
“I take great care of my body and have an extremely regimented diet. Based on the minuscule amount that was briefly in my body, I’ve learned that it is likely that it was contamination of something I ingested.
“I have been educated about PEDs through the RBI program and Baseball Factory while growing up. I know I don’t need any of that to perform on the baseball field. All my athletic success has come from my hard work, focus and dedication to the game.”
Laureano has been with the A’s since making his major league debut on August 3, 2018. His throwing arm is considered one of the best in baseball today. As of July 25, 2021, his MLB stats consisted of a .262 batting average, 49 homeruns and 148 RBIs.
With 53 games remaining in the 2021 season, Laureano will miss the rest of the year and be ineligible to participate in the postseason. His suspension should continue into the 2022 season based on whatever number of games remain. ~ Mercury News
Coincidentally on August 6, the A’s recalled outfielder Seth Brown from Triple-A Las Vegas. Brown joins the team for the second time this year after batting .199 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI in 79 games during his first stint from April 6 to July 31. Brown is tied for fifth among American League rookies in home runs.
(Source: MLB)
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Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
