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Major League Baseball has suspended starting pitcher Ervin Santana 80 games for violating its anti-performace-enhancing drug policy after testing positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol.
Santana is the second pitcher in two days to be suspended for the use of Stanozolol. Atlanta Braves prospect Arodys Vizcaino was the first violator.
Santana stated, “This is unexpected news for me and my family. I am frustrated that I can’t pinpoint how the substance in question entered my body. What I can guarantee is I never knowingly took anything illegal to enhance my performance. That’s just not me, never has been.”
Santana signed a four-year $54 million contract with the Minnesota Twins in December. That was the largest free agent contract in franchise history.
The loss of Santana leaves a huge void in the Twins starting rotation heading into the regular season. Santana is one of the most durable pitchers in baseball, with at least 30 starts in six of the last seven seasons. He is a great innings eater who takes pressure of the bullpen when he takes the mound. The Twins needed him in the front of the rotation since their starters threw the second-fewest innings last season. Santana is an above-average pitcher, he will never battle for the Cy Young award but he will give his ball club 190-200 innings during a full season.
