Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended without pay for 80 games Friday for violating the MLB/MLB Players Association joint policy on performance-enhancing drugs. MLB announced that the suspension will go into effect immediately.
FanSided’s Robert Murray reported that Tatis tested positive for the banned substance Clostebol. Tatis said later Friday that the substance was contained in a medication he took to treat ringworm.
The suspension means that Tatis, 23, who had yet to play this season because of injury, will have to sit out the remainder of the regular season. The Padres have 48 games remaining, including Friday’s game in Washington against the Nationals. He also is ineligible for the 2022 postseason. Based on the 80-game term, he is currently be barred from his team’s first 32 games in the 2023 season.
What is Clostebol?
Clostebol is a derivative of testosterone and classified as a steroid. It is a Schedule III controlled substance. Clostebol acetate is a main active ingredient in Trofodermin, an ointment that is applied to the skin to treat abrasions, erosions, lesions, fissures and infections.
In recent years, athletes across the world have been caught using Clostebol, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. MLB player Dee Strange-Gordon was suspended for a positive test in 2016. International cyclists and retired cross-country skiing champion Therese Johaug were also detected using it.
What was Fernando Tatis Jr.’s response to being suspended?
Tatis said in a statement through the MLB Players Association that his use of Clostebol was unintentional.
“It turns out that I inadvertently took a medication to treat ringworm that contained Clostebol. I should have used the resources available to me in order to ensure that no banned substances were in what I took,” he said.
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Tatis said he initially appealed the suspension but later withdrew it after concluding that his mistake caused the positive test.
“I have no excuse for my error, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love,” he said.
He added that he was “completely devastated” and looks forward to rejoining the Padres in 2023.
What was the Padres’ response to the suspension?
The Padres said in a statement that they were “surprised and extremely disappointed” in Tatis violating the policy.
“We fully support the (drug) Program and are hopeful that Fernando will learn from this experience,” the team said.
Team president A.J. Preller later told reporters that the team learned of the failed test around 3:45 p.m. ET Friday. He also said the suspension is another example of Tatis’ immaturity. Tatis had not played this season after suffering a broken wrist in an offseason motorcycle accident.
“I think we’re hoping that from the offseason to now, that there would be some maturity. And obviously with the news today, it’s more of a pattern and something we’ve got to dig a little bit more into,” he said, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic. “I’m sure he’s very disappointed but at the end of the day, it’s one thing to say it. you have to start by showing it with your actions.”
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