San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been banned for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The MLB announced on Friday that Tatis’ suspension will be enforced immediately, meaning the All-Star shortstop will not appear in a major league game for the rest of the season. In a statement, Tatis said he is not fighting the suspension as it was his “mistake” that was the reason of the positive test.
“It turns out that I inadvertently took a medication to treat ringworm that contained Clostebol,” Tatis said. “I should have used the resources available to me in order to ensure that no banned substances were in what I took. I failed to do so.
“I want to apologize to Peter, AJ, the entire Padres organization, my teammates, Major League Baseball, and fans everywhere for my mistake. I have no excuse for my error, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love. I have taken countless drug tests throughout my professional career, including on March 29, 2022, all of which have returned negative results until this test.
“I am completely devastated. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than on the field competing with my teammates. After initially appealing the suspension, I have realized that my mistake was the cause of this result, and for that reason I have decided to start serving my suspension immediately. I look forward to rejoining my teammates on the field in 2023.”
Tatis, who is 23-years-of-age, is one of the superstars of MLB, the focal point of multiple marketing campaigns and is in the second year of a 14-year, $340 million contract.
MLB said the suspension also will disqualify Tatis from playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Tatis is currently on a minor league rehab assignment, making his way back from a broken wrist after missing the first four months of the season. Now he finds himself on the restricted list for the home stretch of the Padres’ regular season (48 games). Any possible playoff run that the Padres go on will not count toward Tatis’ 80-game total. The remaining 32 games will carry over into the 2023 season.
After bursting onto the scene as a star in his rookie year at 20, Tatis, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound shortstop, whose home run ability, speed and his flare for the spectacular, won him fans around the world, finished fourth in the National League MVP voting in his second season. Last year he improved even more, signing the record deal, finishing in the top three in MVP voting and earning the respect as one of the league’s finest players.
The Padres fell apart to close out 2021, but had high expectations for 2022 after hiring veteran manager Bob Melvin as their new leader. During the work stoppage that delayed spring training, Tatis broke his wrist while riding his motorcycle and had to have surgery. San Diego vowed not to rush his rehabilitation and was anticipating his return to the lineup with Tatis leading off, new acquisition Juan Soto in the number two position and third baseman Manny Machado batting cleanup.
The penalty was announced shortly before the Padres played at Washington. San Diego began the day at 63-51, 12 games above .500, and held the last of the three NL wild-card spots.
“We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn today that Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and subsequently received an 80-game suspension without pay,” the Padres said in a statement. “We fully support the program and are hopeful that Fernando will learn from this experience.”
Tatis’ contract remains fully guaranteed for the next twelve years, during which he will receive $324 million from the organization. The suspension will cost Tatis a maximum of $2.9 million. Tatis has a guaranteed no-trade clause through the 2028 campaign.
In 273 career games, Tatis is batting .292/.369/.569, with 81 career home runs, 192 RBIs and 52 stolen bases.
