New York--Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana was slapped with an 80-game ban on Friday, becoming the second Major League Baseball player from the Dominican Republic to be suspended for performance-enhancing drugs in as many days.
Santana, who just signed a four year, $54 million contract with the Twins in the offseason, tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol, the league said.
On Thursday, Atlanta Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino, who is also from the Dominican, received an 80-game suspension for using Stanozolol.
Santana was slated to be the Twins' number two starter this season while Vizcaino was labelled as one of baseball's top-100 prospects in 2013.
Santana went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA over 31 starts with the Braves last season.
"We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Ervin Santana for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the Twins said in a prepared news release. "We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing substances from our game."
The Twins declined to comment further, citing MLB's Joint Drug Program rules.
Santana admitted he made a mistake and said he would not appeal the ban. He suggested the positive test was the result of an unknown substance he took while in the Dominican.
"I need to be more careful on what I consume in my home country," he said. "I will be more vigilant of medications I take so that I don't commit another mistake."
He also issued an apology but added that he would "never knowingly take anything illegal."
"My deepest apologies to my family, fans, colleagues, teammates and my current employer the Minnesota Twins. I am very disappointed that I tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug," he said.
He is 119-100 with a 4.17 ERA in 299 career games with the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals and Braves.
AFP
