NEW YORK – Milwaukee catcher Pedro Severino was suspended for 80 games on Tuesday after a positive drug test, and was sentenced within two days of the fourth major league.
Severino tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance clomiphene, the commissioner’s office said. The drug is used to induce ovulation.
Severino will lose about half of his $ 1.9 million salary. He apologized to brewers, teammates and fans.
“Since the end of 2020, my wife and I have been trying unsuccessfully to start a family,” Severino said in a statement issued by the players’ association. When we returned to the Dominican Republic after the 2021 season, we sought medical help to determine why we did not succeed. One of the doctors I consulted gave me a medicine to treat infertility problems. Unfortunately, I now know that the drug contains clomiphene. I accept responsibility for my actions and decide not to challenge my suspension. “
The 27-year-old, a seven-year Major League veteran, is in his first season with the Brewers after playing for Washington and Baltimore. He hit .248 hits for Orioles last season with 11 homers and 46 RBIs, averaging .235 with 33 homers and 133 RBIs.
“I’ve been tested more than 100 times in my career and I haven’t had any problems,” Severino said.
Severino has batted .435 with two homers and nine RBIs in eight spring training games. He was expected to serve as the main backup for 2021 All-Star Omar Norwegian, filling a void created when Atlanta Braves signed Manny Pina away from Milwaukee.
Other catchers on the Brewers’ 40-man roster are Mario Feliciano and Brett Sullivan. Feliciano has a game of MLB experience and Sullivan has never played in the Majors.
Three free agents were suspended Monday after Boldenon’s positive test: outfielder / first baseman Danny Santana, pitcher Richard Rodriguez and infielder Jose Rondon. These are the first suspensions since the Major League’s drug testing program resumed on March 11 after a 99-day suspension during the lockout.
All positive test results were obtained from a urine sample taken on December 2 before the lockout began, but the MLB concluded that it could not declare discipline during the lockout, a person familiar with the test program told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because that was the detail. Not announced.