Report: The Oakland Athletics key player is being suspended from all sports for placing a bet against…Major League Baseball on Friday suspended Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano for 80 games without pay after he tested positive for anabolic steroids.
According to MLB, 27-year-old Laureano, who is currently in his fourth season with the A’s, tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance nandrolone. The suspension takes action right away.
Laureano said he “was shocked” to learn about the positive test and refuted claims that he took the prohibited chemical knowingly in a statement issued by the players’ association.
“I have worked too hard and given too much to this sport to disrespect or cheat the game that I love,” the statement read. “I would never do anything to let down the numerous young ball players who look up to me or to disgrace my family, teammates, or coaches.
“I maintain a very strict diet and take excellent care of my body. I’ve discovered that it was probably contamination from something I consumed, based on the tiny amount that was momentarily in my body.
“Throughout my childhood, Baseball Factory and the RBI program taught me about performance-enhancing drugs. I’m aware that I don’t require any of that to play baseball. My commitment to the game, hard work, and concentration have all contributed to my athletic achievement.”
Just over four hours before the A’s were scheduled to kick off a weekend home series against the Texas Rangers, the penalty was called.
“When the A’s learned of this suspension, they were disappointed. The A’s released a statement saying, “We completely support MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and we will welcome Ramón back after the sentence has been served.
Starling Marte, an Oakland trade acquisition on July 28, was given an 80-game suspension by Major League Baseball after testing positive for the same chemical in 2017 while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marte is a fellow A’s outfielder.
After 88 games this season, Laureano is hitting.246 with 14 home runs and 39 RBIs. He has frequently made spectacular throws from center field to stop runs from scoring.
“You just have to move on,” Bob Melvin, the manager of the A’s, stated. “Everyone regrets what transpired for him. You need to have a short memory to play baseball. There are just over fifty games remaining. We need to get outside and use the parts we have to play. There are still some good ones. It is difficult to lose him.
With three straight postseason appearances, Oakland is the defending AL West champion and currently sits two games behind the Houston Astros in the division standings.
“I’d like to apologize for the distraction that this might cause my teammates, Billy Beane, David Forst, and the entire Oakland organization, community, and fan base,” stated Laureano. “I’m inconsolable. I love the game so much, and anyone who knows me personally understands that I would never purposely do something like this.”
Laureano joined Miami pitcher Paul Campbell, Colorado third baseman Colton Welker, San Francisco pitcher Daniel Santos, and Seattle pitcher Hector Santiago as the five players suspended this year under the major league drug policy.
“I believe that everyone was taken aback,” Melvin stated. These things aren’t enjoyable. Loved by Ramon at our clubhouse. Everyone is aware of the rules, which they must follow. Unfortunately, this is the situation we find ourselves in at the moment.
