Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended 80 games by MLB for PED violation

Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended for 80 games without pay on Friday for violating the MLB/MLB Players Association joint policy on performance-enhancing drugs. MLB announced the suspension is effective immediately.

FanSided’s Robert Murray reported that Tatis tested positive for the banned substance clostebol. Tatis said later Friday that the substance was in a drug he was taking to treat tinea.

The suspension means the 23-year-old Tatis, who has yet to play this season through injury, will sit out the remainder of the regular season. The Padres have 48 games left, including Friday’s game in Washington against the Nationals. He is also ineligible to play for the 2022 postseason. Based on the 80-game tenure, he is currently ruled out of his team’s first 32 games of the 2023 season.

What is Clostebol?

Clostebol is a derivative of testosterone and is classified as a steroid. It is a Schedule III controlled substance. Clostebol acetate is a main active ingredient in Trofodermin, an ointment applied to the skin to treat abrasions, erosions, lesions, fissures and infections.

In recent years, athletes around the world have been caught using Clostebol, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. MLB player Dee Strange-Gordon was suspended in 2016 for testing positive. International cyclists and the retired cross-country skiing champion Therese Johaug were also discovered.

How did Fernando Tatis Jr react to the suspension?

Tatis said in a statement through the MLB Players Association that his use of Clostebol was unintentional.

“It turns out that I accidentally took a drug to treat tinea that contained clostebol. I should have used the resources at my disposal to make sure my intake didn’t contain any banned substances,” he said.

MORE: Tatis would have made Padres line-up even more terrifying following Soto’s arrival

Tatis said he initially appealed the suspension but later withdrew it after concluding his error caused the positive test.

“I have no excuses for my mistake and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game that I love,” he said.

He added that he was “completely devastated” and looking forward to rejoining the Padres in 2023.

How did the Padres react to the suspension?

The Padres said in a statement that they were “surprised and extremely disappointed” that Tatis had broken the policy.

“We fully support the (drug) program and hope Fernando will learn from this experience,” the team said.

Team President AJ Preller later told reporters that the team learned of the failed test around 3:45 p.m. ET on Friday. He also said the suspension was another example of Tatis’ immaturity. Tatis had not played this season after breaking his wrist in an off-season motorcycle accident.