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The A’s on Friday misplaced considered one of their prime gamers for the rest of the 2021 season. MLB introduced outfielder Ramon Laureano has been suspended for 80 video games following a constructive take a look at for a banned substance.
Laureano mentioned in a press release that he did not knowingly ingest the substance and added that he does not “want any of that to carry out on the baseball subject.”
Oakland won’t have Laureano again on the sector till April 2022 on the earliest.
SN seems to be on the purpose for Laureano’s suspension and what’s subsequent for him and the A’s:
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Why was Ramon Laureano suspended?
Laureano was suspended for testing constructive for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid. MLB’s assertion didn’t embrace the quantity detected or when Laureano was examined.
He’ll miss the rest of the 2021 common season (53 video games), any potential Oakland playoff video games this 12 months and the primary 27 video games of the 2022 season, which is able to start March 31.
What did Ramon Laureano say about his suspension?
Laureano, by way of the MLB Gamers Affiliation, maintained that he didn’t knowingly ingest nandrolone.
“I take nice care of my physique and have an especially regimented weight loss program,” he mentioned. “Primarily based on the miniscule quantity that was briefly in my physique, I’ve realized that it’s probably that it was contamination of one thing I ingested.
“I’ve been educated about PEDs by way of the RBI program and Baseball Manufacturing facility whereas rising up. I do know I do not want any of that to carry out on the baseball subject. All my athletic success has come from laborious work, focus and dedication to the sport.”
The Related Press reported that Laureano is the fifth MLB participant to be suspended below baseball’s drug prevention program this 12 months. He joins Marlins pitcher Paul Campbell, Rockies infielder Colton Welker, Giants pitcher Daniel Santos and Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago.
What did the A’s say about Ramon Laureano’s suspension?
The membership launched a quick assertion by which it mentioned it was “disillusioned” to be taught of Laureano’s suspension.
It added that it’ll “welcome Ramon again after the self-discipline has been served.”
What’s subsequent for the A’s on the sector?
Oakland will transfer ahead with out its on a regular basis proper fielder. Laureano moved from heart subject to proper in late July after the A’s acquired heart fielder Starling Marte in a commerce with the Marlins.
Laureano, 27, posted a .246/.317/.443 slash line with 14 residence runs in 88 video games for the A’s in 2021. He additionally contributed 12 stolen bases in 17 makes an attempt and common protection (two defensive runs saved, per Fangraphs).
The A’s employed a right-field platoon of Seth Brown and Stephen Piscotty previous to buying Marte. Brown and Piscotty have been reasonably productive hitters, with a mixed 17 residence runs, 44 RBIs and .394 slugging share in 355 at-bats previous to Friday.
Oakland might transfer utility gamers Tony Kemp and Josh Harrison into an outfield position, though Harrison has been the common second baseman since being acquired from the Nationals on the July 31 deadline. It might additionally promote Khris Davis or Skye Bolt from the minors (though Brown was referred to as up Friday to switch Laureano on the roster). One other utility participant, Chad Pinder (hamstring), is a few week away from coming off the injured checklist.
Buying an outfielder could not profit the membership. With the abolition of the Aug. 31 waiver commerce deadline, the A’s would wish to assert a participant off waivers (and choose up that participant’s remaining 2021 wage) or commerce for a participant who shouldn’t be on a 40-man roster.
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