TODAY: Castillo has officially been suspended after testing positive for banned performance-enhancer Erythopoieton, per a league announcement.
YESTERDAY: White Sox catcher Welington Castillo has been slapped with an 80-game suspension following a failed PED test, per Dominican journalist Americo Celado. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets the same, and it seems that an announcement from the league could come tomorrow.
Castillo, 31, signed a two-year, $15MM contract with the White Sox in the offseason and will forfeit nearly half of his $7.25MM salary on the 2018 season as a result of the 80-game ban. For the time being, it seems likely that Omar Narvaez will step up as the team’s primary catcher, though the Sox will need to make another move to add a backup to the equation.
Kevan Smith could conceivably be an option eventually, though The Athletic’s James Fegan tweets that he was just placed on the disabled list yesterday. Chicago doesn’t have another catcher on its 40-man roster, so it could have to select either Alfredo Gonzalez or Brett Austin from Triple-A Charlotte.
Blake Swihart figures to draw his fair share of speculation in connection with the ChiSox, as the agent for the seldom-used Boston backstop recently requested that the Red Sox trade his client. Looking to the waiver wire, the A’s designated Dustin Garneau for assignment yesterday, and he could be a quick fix to at least give the White Sox another option behind the plate while Smith mends.
Though the Sox are just 14-31 on the season, it’s a tough loss for the team all the same. Castillo got off to a fine start this season, hitting .270/.314/.477 with six homers through his first 32 games and 118 trips to the plate. He’s done a good job of controlling the running game (32 percent caught-stealing rate), as well.
Castillo, of course, becomes the second prominent player in the past week to be hit with an 80-game ban for a failed PED test. Robinson Cano tested positive for a banned diuretic that acts as a masking agent to performance-enhancing substances last week. Rosenthal notes that Castillo tested positive for a banned substance but not directly for a steroid, so it seems possible that he had a similar substance to that of Cano in his bloodstream at the time of the test.
Damn lol
(Insert remark about Realmuto going to the White Sox)
Why? Miami is just as close to competing at the White Sox are. In 4 years
Not true. The White Sox rebuild began at least a year before the one in Miami. They already have a number of their foundation pieces on the MLB active roster with a couple more studs like top pitching and hitting prospects Michael Kopech and Eloy Jimenez likely to debut this summer. Many of their other elite prospects are at AA and A+ ball and could be ready for prime time by next season or 2020. Their philosophy of drafting college players has also continued which should help expedite their transition into contenders, especially so in the weakest division in MLB.
White Sox aren’t even close to respectable until at least 2020. That’s not playoff bound, that’s just .500 or so. Realmuto is a FA following that season. Doesn’t make sense.
I wasn’t condoning a White Sox trade for J.T. Realmuto, only debating the contention that the Marlins are as close to being competitive as Chicago. Top White Sox catching prospect Zack Collins who is AA should be on the South Side by 2020 when Realmuto is in his walk year. Of course, most fans were surprised that the White Sox signed veteran Wellington Castillo this past offseason so I suppose anything is possible. lol
No they aren’t Miami wont compete for 6 or 7 years.
Shame they built an undeserving stadium they should have moved Tampa and Miami to Montreal and las Vegas.
Chooch is still available
Another Dominican
make sure you say “another white guy” when a few of them get a positive test in a row
We don’t take too kindly to being called “them”. We are proud caucasians.
Ryan braun is dominican aswell, one more strike and he’s out of the old ball game!
Bonds, McGwire, Palmiero, Giambi, Clemens, Pettite…damn it sure does seem like all the noted cheaters are Dominican…
….you forgot A-Rod, Nelson Cruz, Dee Gordon, Melky Cabrera, Bernie Williams, every Yankee ever, yada yada
There’s no reason to include ethnicity in this conversation. People make mistakes, regardless of race.
Sorry, meant to reply to GoRockies’ original comment
Can we agree they are at least all males?
People take calculated risks, regardless of race. Taking PEDs is not a “mistake” 99% of the time.
Are you assuming their gender???
Exactly
I’d list off like 10 more but what’s the point, they fall equally on either side.
We members of the human race are known to make mistakes. I can’t speak for Klingons or the kree though….
Bernie Williams?!?!?!?!?!? You’re an idiot.
They’re all Dominican on their mothers side. Just kidding.
Let the “privileged” make that call sir. Whoever “they” might be.
Dominican is not an ethnicity, it is a nationality. There are several ethnicities within that nationality, just as American is not an ethnicity, and there several ethnicities within that nationality.
The deplorables are out today trolling get off this site racist
No, Manny Ramirez
Not in 2018
I disagree. Those who cheat are less than men.
Whatever you say, Snowflake. Scream at the sky lately?
Mistakes? Try choices. Try greed, You get the idea.
I’m glad someone else caught the insanity of Bernie freaking Williams being included on that list
Perhaps the wording of that post was terrible, but I don’t know that it’s completely unfair or unjustifiable pointing out that this is the FIFTH suspension in a row that has landed on a Dominican born player. The population there is only about as big as New York. So putting race aside, it is fairly interesting that five in a row have come from the same place
Big Papi’s Milkshake Shack open for business
With a side of..swollen liver, irregular heartbeat, shrunken genitals, back acne, and night blindness.
The people are busting @FoRockies for his “Another Dominican” comment may want to do some research on Google. While they have tried to clamp down on PED use in the DR the past few years, use there is rampant. In fact. there are many “over the counter” PED’s available in the DR.
And if you look at the PED suspension lists from MLB and minor league baseball you will see a disproportionate amount of players from the DR being suspended. My guess is that in such poor economic conditions people are willing to take greater risks to get out. So while PED use is not limited to one nationality or race, it is a fact that it is a huge issue in the DR.
Dumbass
Looks like he Beefed up a bit too much.
good one
I like this
Well done.
PhilsPhan shoots….AND HE SCORES!!!!
(also…my name)
I’ll show myself out.
I see what you did there PhilsPhan.
A rare display of quality humor.
He ain’t Mexican to use that excuse.
Juice Welington
Is it safe to say, that 2019 team option will be declined?
2019 8M team option is now guaranteed 0.5M buyout?
It’s a 2020 option. He’s on a two-year, guaranteed deal.
Ah, Sorry about that. Then it’s a Long time down. knew he had a team option in his contract, bcuz I remember thinking: “Wow, he got team option too, this contract is a steal!!” when signing announced.
Obviously, this is lowest-point of his White Sox tenure and probably career but still think there’s enough time to humbly serve his sentence, rebound and possibly have that 2020 option exercised. Thank you!
Why would it be a guarantee? None of these teams punish these cheaters.
And gives them raises !!?!!??!
ReverieDays – Because every union head since the “lovable” Donald Fehr (how also fought tooth and nail to prevent testing until congress made him accept it) has said guaranteed contract will never go away. Secondly the CBA specifically states that players cannot be punished by the league and a team for the same offence and PED’s fall under the leagues realm.
The while 80% thing protects them for getting what they deserve
League minimum
It isn’t even safe to say that the team’s 2020 option will be declined. If he is productive when he returns plus next year the Sox might decide that his $7.5M (adjusting for a $500K buyout) option remains their best option behind the plate. Teams are only puritanical about PEDs when it benefits them, otherwise they believe in redemption.
Here we go…
This would of been perfect fit with the Cardinals and Carson Kelly unfortunately he’s on the DL so bad timing all around.
What do you think we could get for Kelly?
If anyone will trade any quality, I would do it, Cardinals have overvalued him like they have done in the past with other prospects, he can’t hit his weight.
He has a hamstring injury, and the Cardinals catcher is also on the DL. Further, the Sox are rebuilding, what are they going to give up that would be equivalent to a young catcher that is one of the top catching prospects in baseball who still has 5-6 years of control?
Can’t wait to hear this excuse…
Who was the guy a couple months ago that tried to excuse it by saying he only ate Chicken and natural rice?
Raudy Read, the Nationals catcher
He’ll say what every person caught using PED’s has said: something along the lines “I’m sorry, and I had no idea that the drug I used was banned. I know I let down all my teammates and fans, which I feel horrible for”.
Yeah. It’s a joke anymore. This and Cabo’s incident just prove that cheaters will cheat. They will always find a way. And I for one don’t care what these guys do. I just don’t want to hear about it and I sure as heck don’t want to hear the status quo “I’m sorry for this but I would never intentionally take anything” response. I just want to watch baseball. No instant replay, no clocks, no mound visit counters and full blown arguments and ejections. I miss real baseball.
Cano*
Actually he said, in part, “The positive test resulted from an extremely poor decision that I, and I alone, made. I take full responsibility for my conduct.” No excuses. He is one of the few to own up not that it makes it any better.
Now I feel bad for making him my franchise Catcher in my the show franchise, but regardless, I’m a little surprised, but his past volatility raised a couple flags. At least he isn’t screwing over a contender like Cano did.
What an ahole. Guessing the Sox will call up Kevan Smith.
Swihart?
Lol I can definitely see the fit
If he fails so what, if he works, keep him around for the next contender.
Could Carson Kelly be an option? Maybe someone like Cease for Kelly would get it done.
I don’t know if that would happen. Their value seems to be heading in different directions and the Cards would probably want someone that can step right into their big league roster
Agreed on all accounts. So lets just swap out Cease for Shields. Deal? Deal.
Maybe some bullpen help? If memory serves me right, no one in their bullpen is worth Kelly. As a Cards fan, I support trading Kelly for a prospect in the low minor leagues or some bullpen help. Our farm system is top heavy. May not net us Cease, but I think the Cardinals could throw in someone else to get Cease.
The White Sox will be sports and let the Cardinals have their pick of Luis Avilan, Bruce Rondon and Joakim Soria (or all of them!) in addition to James Shields in exchange for Carson Kelly. lol
At least Kelly can play some defense and might actually make a nice platoon partner or backup to pair with lefty hit-first catching prospect Zack Collins by 2020.
Anybody who believes that Zack Collins can be an everyday defensive catcher in the big leagues is DREAMING!! He is a Bat-Period.
matanzas1962: We’ll see about that. Zack Collins already came into pro ball with a higher pedigree as a first round pick than HOF catcher Mike Piazza who was never considered anything more than an average defender behind the dish.
Collins has proven to be a high OBP hitter with decent power in his 2+ year pro career which has already landed him at AA Birmingham. He currently has 7 HR’s and a .428 OBP through 40 games with the Barons. The White Sox are confident that he will hone his craft enough to become at least an average defender in MLB.
I could live with Collins’ lower BA and SO’s as a catcher at the big league level since most aren’t great hitters anyway. Nothing wrong with having your backstop put up Adam Dunn like numbers as long as he can at least be an average defensive player behind the dish.
It would probably be a dream to think that Collins could approach the offensive numbers that Piazza achieved. Maybe a lefty hitting catcher like Brian McCann would be a better comparison. White Sox fans could easily live with that prospect.
Good thing the Sox aren’t making the playoffs this year.
All right, all right White Sox fans….Red Sox fan here….I’ll give you Swihart for Abreu…..I know, I know, other Red Sox fans don’t want to trade their future HOFer, but what the heck…….
White Sox fan here… I think Swihart could push us to the next level. Deal.
Can we atleast get russney Castillo with swihart so we can atleast keep a Castillo on our team?
If the next level is 65 wins, then I agree.
Tainted Beef
No thats the Mexican excuse he Dominican their excuse is over the counter Doctor prescription.
MLB is such a joke with their drug policies
I agree. Punishing players for using illegal substances is completely uncalled for!
What do you mean by that? MLB probably has the (at least one of) most thoroughly enforced policies. The NFL has a (imo) a suspiciously low amount of positive PED tests for a sport where the objective is in part achieved by overwhelming your opponent with brute force… Selig was always a bit soft on PEDs tho. I’m Glad Manford has been tougher than selig with higher suspensions and a possibility of a permanent (but reviewable after a year) ban from MLB and it’s affiliates all I know is that us pirate fans will remind braun how much we have “forgiven” him every time the brewers are in Pittsburgh (spoiler we still hate his guts) The worst part is that i believed him until biogenisis. Still getting over Marte as well
If PED testing was properly enforced in football, it wold cease to exist as a sport. Their top players would constantly be dropping like flies. Just follow the money.
“If PED testing was properly enforced in football, it wold cease to exist as a sport” that has got to be the biggest bunch of BS ever posted on here. MLB is the sport with all the tainted records, and it’s greatest players sitting on the outside of the HOF. WTF
Does making unsubstantiated claims make you feel better about these players getting caught?
Bocephus……….Read…. cnn.com/2017/02/05/health/performance-enhancing-dr…
Then compare to the MLB JDA, specifically URINE SPECIMEN COLLECTION PREPARATION AND PROCEDURES starting on page 3 and then BLOOD SPECIMEN COLLECTION PREPARATION AND PROCEDURES starting on page 30. If that’s too much for you, you can just sit back in denial.
MLB has the tightest testing outside of USADA/WADA and of course UFC as mentioned in the article. I wish the MLBPA would agree to allowing the USADA to provide all services
One word…Biogenesis
Bocephus….Learn of which you speak. That one word caused the MLBPA to cave and allow WADA style testing. Prior to Tony Bosch the standard was a 4:1 T:E Ratio (Testosterone to Epistestosterone) which was ridiculous. MLB had been asking for WADA testing for years as well as blood tests for HGH. The MLBPA refused as needles are scary I guess. Biogenesis change all of that. Bosch knew the precisely timed HGH injections along with timed usage of testosterone lozenges would allow the T:E ratio to stay within range. Studies in Australia showed the HGH would lower the appearance of elevated T. That no longer works thanks to that one little word. This is not 2013 Bocephus.
I simple little internet search would tell you that it all changed post Bosch.
The NFL will have their Biogenesis eventually.
People on here always trying to justify.
Bottom line, either way the NFL fans could care less about PED’s and that’s what matters.
How are guys like Cano getting through for so long?
Sure bury your head in the sand….Free Bonds and Clemens from the chains of hypocrisy.
I’m not justifying anything. I’m stating fact and providing evidence while you blather on. I would imagine by your statements that you are an NFL fan…the “let ’em do what the want” crowd while you scratch your backside and belch.
Do you know how long Cano had been doing anything? I don’t. I do know that a biological passport (a record of all of his tests, his samples, his IRMS results, his T:E ratios for at least the last 4+ years) is on file at World Anti-Doping Agency certified laboratory known as Laboratoire de Controle du Dopage not tossed away after 90 days. Is the MLB/MLBPA JDA perfect? Nope, I wish it was tighter. There are too few blood tests and penalties are not stiff enough for starters but it’s better than most sports.
Personally I hope that Bonds et al get so close they can taste it and fail their final year. It would be fitting but you can go ahead condone what you like.
Have a nice day, don’t scratch too hard.
Any PED that enhances muscle growth increases testosterone. Any fluctuation in testosterone levels triggers a failed test and results in an IRMS that can detect biological markers months later. Live and learn.
Hey if you condone liver tumors, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke all because someone can’t be successful without cheating it says more about your lack of character than it says about me.
Lastly, it’s not your body!!!
I can’t stand Ryan Braun. I honestly wish he could just fade into obscurity. I’m tired of seeing his smug, pandered face.
Cheaty McCheaterson
“I told you all those Yankees are dirty! Dirty organization!… oh wait… White Sox?”
They still are. Perfect example, 1/3 of the 2009 WS winning lineup are/were PED users…and that’s of the ones we know of so far.
Yup….go on…sit out half a year and then come back and cheat again. Waiting now for the gasbag excuse that is sure to come.
He has super high Blood Pressure (only during the off season though)
“Yup….go on…sit out half a year and then come back and cheat again. ”
He will be tested an extra six times per year (not counting the mandatory and random tests) for the rest of his career even if he is sitting and waiting as a free agent.
And despite this, he will likely continue cheating.
15 and 31? The probably of making it to the playoffs is bleak. Time to call up Kevan Smith or take a spin on Dustin.
the mlb drug policy is a joke because all attempts at banning substances, whether in baseball or elsewhere is only kicking the can further down the road: players and drug makers will simply study the banned list and move on to substances not on the list.
the idea that “performance enhancing drugs” are “bad” is bs…are they gonna ban redbull and 5-hr energy next?
human nature is to use drugs. that will never change. it is only the ridiculous christian american conservative guilt trip that demands this pie inthe sky of “purity”.
gimme a break.
Or they’re trying to create the perception of a level playing field and religion has really nothing to do with it…
Because PEDs don’t have ANY adverse side effects that could negatively impact these players’ health.
You funny….but not in the haha way.
“gimme a break”….ahhh yes…cynicism the “go to” for those without a factual, logical argument.
Agreed. I’m going to move my point away from sports, but everyone is an addict of some kind. Everyone has a coping mechanism that stimulates dopamine.
Whether it be a legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, food addiction, caffeine addiction, sex, money……whatever.
Those that act morally superior and say “I’m not an addict..I don’t do drugs or alcohol,” are simply lying hypocrites. They’re lying to themselves and everyone else.
a breathe of fresh air! yes, exactly my point thank u
This might be hard for you to believe with your know it all sweeping statements, but there actually are people who don’t do drugs or alcohol. lol
That’s all fine and dandy, but I do not do anything that is banned by my company or the law. So your example here of the “real” world is a poor example.
I wore shorts to work today breaking company policy banning them.
“I wore shorts to work today breaking company policy banning them.” and it made the other employees run faster.
Djones246890…..There is a difference between addition, a compulsive, nagging, relentless need, and a person having an occasional drink, dropping $10 in a slot machine or having a meal they love. You should learn the difference.
Laughing releases dopamine and endorphins. Endorphins also trigger growth hormones so I guess babies and kids who laugh a lot are addicts in your world.
Oh….BTW I was a practicing addict for 21 years and a recovering one for 23+ years.
hmm that’s why doping is allowed in the tour de France….durrrrrrr
Let me guess…a DR doctor gave him something for the flu over the winter.
So clearly an 80 game ban isn’t enough to curb the cheating. How about if get caught you have to honor your contract but your salary automatically defaults to a first year teacher salary? We will have them questioning their life choices in no time…
hahaha thats a good idea: 1st year teacher salary good one.
and yes it may be as you say “to appear” as though things are fair.
the main point remains unfortunately. and it is a twisted scheme from a player’s perspective in any case, because on the one hand the teams’ owners are marketing the players as role models for the youth, and on the other the harsh reality is that most never even make it to the bigs, and the ones who do are under such tremendous pressure to perform, these substances become far more appealing.
not making a moral stand one way or the other.
if it was up to me i say let them take whatever they want, it would be more fun to say the least. instead all this hiding and lying and drug busts and cops and robbers…
No, you can’t force a player to honor their contract, and some teams might not want them to continue with their organization.
A better option might be voiding their contract and banning them from the game on their first failed test. Perhaps even a financial penalty (paying a portion of their already-earned contract to a health-related charity).
In the minors, likewise: one failed test and you’re banned for life.
This is where the fun begins.
Ani? My little Ani?
Just play clean or gtfo. im a wsox fan and i dont care who it is im done with them.
Well there goes their playoff chances.
Tough break especially with experienced MLB catcher Kevan Smith just going on the disabled at AAA. He was the odd man out when Wellington Castillo was signed this past offseason.
Even former White Sox catcher Geovany Soto wouldn’t be an immediate option since he’s still a free agent and would need time in the minors to get back up to speed. Soto was on the White Sox roster as recently as last season and back in 2015 in a platoon role and would be a familiar presence to the organization. It appears Rick Hahn will hit the waiver wire or be on the phone with other GM’s trying to acquire a veteran backstop for the short term and possibly the remaining bulk of 2018 pending the injury to Smith.
With the White Sox reluctant to rush their top hitting prospect, OF Eloy Jimenez to the South Side there is little chance they would consider promoting his AA teammate Zack Collins at this point in time either. Collins was the White Sox #1 Draft pick in 2016 and is also their top catching prospect and ranked #6 among backstops per mlb.com (m.mlb.com/prospects/2018?list=cws). He was selected as an advanced college bat from the University of Miami and has flashed good power and high OBP numbers despite a low BA and a lot of SO’s. His defense is still a work in progress but the organization is confident that he will be an MLB starting catcher within a year or two.
Kevan Smith has 94 games in just 2 years, how is that “experienced”? Your cringy sportswriter wannabee comments are some of the worst on here…
EXPERIENCE is a relative term. His two years MLB EXPERIENCE with the White Sox trumps that of any other catcher in the minor league system. He is also extremely familiar with the White Sox staff at the MLB level as well as those at AAA.
With Smith currently on the DL the front office will surely be looking to add another catcher with MLB EXPERIENCE, perhaps even one with equal EXPERIENCE (95 games) and far less knowledge of their staff behind the dish like Blake Swihart.
The best penalty would to earn some low ball salary like $200k maximum for each season for rest of career and never be allowed to play in the play-offs. For ev er for ev er for ev er.
And he liked it…. Alot!
Many people who say “let them take what they want” or even those who contend that we would be better off seeing some athletes like Barry bonds take whatever they want to unnaturally change the way your body operations happen chemically putting on amounts of muscle mass your tendons and joints are not built to withstand the strength of. Many users had reoccurring joint\tendon injuries because of this. Well consider this, if YOUR kid was on a little league team actually let’s make that a highschool,collage in fact let’s say YOUR kid made it to the pros if YOUR kid struck out 3 times and went 0-4 if you learned the pitcher for the opposing team was taking a ped or an hgh to get that extra zip on his fastball, would you be OKAY with that? If it’s not ok at little league or any other level than why is it ok in Yankee stadium, or Petco park,Wrigley field,PNC park,Camden yard,heck even whatever they call that psychedelic pinball machine in Miami. How is it okay for them?
How about Carson Kelly and John Gant for Abreu?
Sox would never do that.
Tyler Flowers would never do this
aj pierzynski would never do this
Swihart & JBJ for…………?
A Rod cheated and he got to keep 95% of his career, 95% of his money and 100% of the dates he had with super models. Today, he is featured on the most prominent national baseball broadcast.
More than half of the voters tried to put Bonds and Clemens into the HOF.
There is no good reason to NOT cheat given the risks and rewards. Not until society actually cares about ethics again, at least. Could be a long wait.
In the early 00’s when this PED stuff was taking off, I thought we should just have a calendar-year ban for a first offense and lifetime for the second. After the year ban they get a blood test twice and the players pay for the hassle.
Twice a week that is.
I agree its time for society to start caring about it. I would hope that MLB and the players union would agree to do a video. Featuring all the cheating players telling kids why they shouldn’t take these staff. I mean let be honest beside cheating the game PED more then likely PED also has dangerous sides effects.
Personally I think if you want MLB to take PEDs seriously the best way is to hit both the team and the player where it hurts: the money. If a player tests positive then have the player lose his year’s salary and have it donated to an anti-drug group. So the team will also pay and not just keep the salary. Also throw in a minimum team fine of say 5 million for when prospects are caught. Teams will be less likely to sign PED users if their wallet is being hit.
Why is it all the latin players doing this.
It’s all ethnic groups, all positions, probably all levels.
I would take a look at Albert Cordero in the Atlantic League. He’s killing it there and might be a nice external diamond in the rough solution. Considering they are not going to make the playoffs, why not consider an option like this?
Gets them closer to clinching the number 1 pick for Summer 2019.
Time to look across town again great young catcher V. Carintino for Deleon Cease back to the north you got enough Q for Jimenez
Sign Miguel Montero !!!
It sure seem like players still try to cheat the game regardless If they will face 80 game suspension or not. I really think that MLB and the players union must sit down and agree to a new severe stronger punishment. Instead of 80 game for first time offered. Make it a 180 games suspension including any playoff game. In addition no player will be allow to play while appealing his suspension. I get the notion lick your innocent until proven guilty. But I do feel like in this case cheating players take advantage of the system. They shouldn’t allow to play or be paid while appealing their suspension. And if 180 game for a first time suspension is not enough. For a 2nd time offender the player will be banned for life. Hopefully this will stop players from trying to cheat the game.
Wow, it’s like the world’s worst intro to sociology course suddenly came down with gastroenteritis and couldn’t find the bathroom, so it just stopped at the nearest comment page.
EPO? He went the Lance Armstrong route.
White Dominican players used steroids too. Take Sammy Sosa for example. Lol.
If the Sox want a solid, everyday catcher with exceptional defensive skills I’m sure CLE’s Roberto Perez could be had for a bullpen arm. Perez is only hitting .123 this season, so yeah he’s as close to an automatic out as you can get.
D Gordon got off easy … and cano is laughing while driving is Lamborghini !
Blake Swihart and Michael Chavis for Yoan Moncada…
The drug is used to treat anemia. It can help performance in sports where endurance is required because it increases red cell counts. Wont help a MLB players performance much where they run no more than 90-180 ft at a time, at least no more than Red Bull does.
Rosenthal. . ” …. so it seems possible that he had a similar substance to that of Cano in his bloodstream at the time of the test.”
No Rosenthal. There is no evidence Cano had anything in his blood than Lasix. There is nothing in common but 2 separate drugs used for medical conditions by 2 Latino players who spent the offseason in the DR
Rules are rules. MLBPA agreed to them but its not proof of steroid abuse
22222pete – While you and Cano make excuses Castillo said this ““The positive test resulted from an extremely poor decision that I, and I alone, made. I take full responsibility for my conduct.” It doesn’t excuse the fast that he violated the JDA and Cano’s excuse failed to hold up after his medicals were reviewed. There was no cause for him to be taking a diuretic other than to mask cheating.
There seems to be a confusion on these two drugs. 1. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow, so when an athlete uses it is increasing the formation of RBC in the blood and thus lots of oxygen, increasing stamina, recovery times are shorter after exercise, etc. It is injectable and highly sought after by cyclists specially. In the other hand, Furosemide, the basic chemical in Lasix (R)-trade mark,- is a diuretic similar to many others used to lower blood pressure, or to treat edema.. In sports, it has been believed that it is a “masking agent” but it is basically the same as when a drunk person drinks four cups of hot coffee to “sober up” before they drive… at the end, you would be a “fully-awaken” drunk…. So, Furosemide might help to eliminate the banned substance from your body but the remnant will still be found even months after use. Just need to do a reliable test in Mass Spectrometry to catch the cheaters….
No confusion here. MLB does use the same Biological Passport system and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry as the WADA. ( link to current JDA mlbplayers.com/pdf9/5450924.pdf ). Usually an IRMS is triggered when there is a fluctuation in the players T:E ratio (Testosterone to Epistestosterone), whether or not that occurred we will never know as only certain information may be released per the JDA.
What we do know is the IPA (Independent Program Administrator appointed jointly by MLB and the MLBPA) reviewed all of Cano’s medicals and found no reason for the use of a diuretic other than deception.
When you get the contract, lose the needle. Is it worth the millions of dollars? I’m not supporting anyone taking juice but when you see a guy get busted in the middle of his deal it’s just that much worse.
He was decent with the Cubs. He fell off once he left. Always liked him. Shame he cheated to help his numbers.