Twins pitcher Ervin Santana suspended 80 games for PEDs
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana has been suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive the anabolic steroid Stanozolol, Major League Baseball announced on Friday.
Santana signed a a four-year, $54 million deal with the Twins in December. The 32-year-old spent last season with the Atlanta Braves, going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 196 innings.
After the news was announced, Santana released a statement, calling the suspension "unexpected." From the statement:
"I am frustrated that I can't pinpoint how the substance in question entered my body," he said. "What I can guarantee is I never knowingly took anything illegal to enhance my performance. That’s just not me, never has been. I need to be more careful on what I consume in my home country. I will be more vigilant of medications I take so that I don't commit another mistake. Having said that, I believe it is best to move forward and accept the punishment."
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The pitcher spent the first eight years of his career with the Los Angeles Angels, who signed him as a free-agent in 2000. Santana was an All-Star in 2008 and pitched a no-hitter in 2011.
After going 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA for the Angels in 2012, Santana was traded to the Kansas City Royals, where he spent the 2013 season.
Santana is the second pitcher to be suspended for a positive test for Stanozolol in as many days. On Thursday, Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino was also suspended 80 games.
- Molly Geary
