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Frankie Montas Gets 80-Game PED Suspension

By Connor Byrne | June 21, 2019 at 4:03pm CDT

In stunning news, Major League Baseball has issued an 80-game suspension to Athletics ace Frankie Montas for performance-enhancing drug use, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. Montas tested positive for banned substance Ostarine, according to Sam Dykstra of MLB.com.

“The A’s were disappointed upon learning of this suspension,” the team said in a statement. “We fully support MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and we will welcome Frankie back after the discipline has been served.”

Montas issued a statement of his own (via MLBPA Communications), saying, in part, “While I never intended to take any prohibited substance, I unfortunately and unknowingly ingested a contaminated supplement that I had purchased over-the-counter at a nutrition store here in the United States.”

The 26-year-old added that he accepts responsibility for the ban and hopes to contribute to the A’s later in the season.

Montas, who’s earning $560K this year, won’t be paid during his suspension. More importantly for Oakland, though, he won’t be eligible for the postseason if the team clinches a berth. At 40-36, the A’s are just one game out of the AL’s second wild-card spot.

The A’s are in contention this season thanks in no small part to Montas, who performed like an ace in 2019 prior to this shocking development. In what will go down as his last start for at least a few months, the hard-throwing right-hander tossed eight innings of one-run, nine-strikeout ball in a win over the Rays on Thursday. It was the fourth straight quality start for Montas, owner of a sterling 2.70 ERA/2.86 FIP with 9.7 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 and a 50.8 percent groundball rate in 90 innings this season.

Should they stay in contention leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, the Athletics will have a chance to acquire starting help. However, it’s hard to believe anyone they’d acquire would make an impact similar to that of Montas, who’s near the top of the majors in most starting stats this year. The club does have important injury reinforcements working back – including Sean Manaea and Jesus Luzardo – who figure to make life easier for the Athletics once they return. However, any way you look at it, the loss of Montas is a devastating shot to the A’s rotation. It could have a significant effect on the AL playoff race as a result.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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View Comments (164)
Post a Comment

164 Comments

  1. GoCardsGo

    6 years ago

    Frugs are bad

    Reply
    • iverbure

      6 years ago

      Insert a bunch of ignorant comments about PEDs from ignorant people. I’ve got some skin cream for rosacea that would get any player in mlb suspended.

      7
      Reply
      • dclivejazz

        6 years ago

        Or maybe some people are actually still cheating with PEDs, which is disappointing.

        9
        Reply
        • Horace

          6 years ago

          Nah, dclivejazz, probably just bad skin.

          We should all try to be enlightened like iverbure….

          1
          Reply
      • Chris

        6 years ago

        Yes but you’re not in MLB and I think you would check to see if your steroid cream was on the banned list before you used it. Yes there are some drugs on the list that probably shouldn’t be, but I’m so over this I didn’t realize what I was taking excuses. That’s part of being a professional

        3
        Reply
      • jekporkins

        6 years ago

        I love how you’re calling people ignorant for making comments assuming a player is illegally ingesting drugs when chances are just as likely that he was and you’re the ignorant one for assuming it was something innocuous like a skin cream.

        8
        Reply
        • cjbay

          6 years ago

          A suspension doesn’t happen after the first failed drug test. So I don’t believe his excuse for a second.

          2
          Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          6 years ago

          What??? Come-On-Man yes it does.

          Reply
        • PopeMarley

          6 years ago

          “A suspension doesn’t happen after the first failed drug test” What sport are you referring to?

          Reply
        • kelticknotz

          6 years ago

          Ostarine is the trademarked name for a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) that is not approved for human use or consumption in the U.S., or in any other country. In recent years, WADA has reported an increasing number of positive tests involving SARMs, and athletes who use these substances most likely obtain them through black market channels.
          I don’t know but this kind of shoots the story about buying it over counter right out of the water.

          8
          Reply
        • Ry.the.Stunner

          6 years ago

          @cjbay — do you watch baseball? A first time failed PED test most certainly does result in a suspension (80 games to be exact)

          Reply
      • loach

        6 years ago

        Your skin cream is likely a corticosteroid not an anabolic steroid. There’s a huge difference.

        10
        Reply
        • c7cxk

          6 years ago

          This

          Reply
      • Daynlokki

        6 years ago

        Ostarine is the trademarked name for a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) that is not approved for human use or consumption in the U.S., or in any other country. In recent years, WADA has reported an increasing number of positive tests involving SARMs, and athletes who use these substances most likely obtain them through black market channels.

        Reply
      • Jbigz12

        6 years ago

        Iverbure you know absolutely nothing about steroids. Don’t sit here and act like you do. I could sit back and roast you for this dandy if you’d like.

        mlbtraderumors.com/2018/03/twins-jorge-polanco-get…
        Just Stop buddy. Before you really sound like a “simpleton” as you’d put it….

        5
        Reply
        • michael serra

          6 years ago

          Great find, jbigz12. This guys been talking down to people for a long time with flying BS that he thinks fools everyone. I guess he thinks he’s smarter than you, me, and anyone else reading this crap.

          1
          Reply
        • semut

          6 years ago

          jbigz12 – But… but.. the meat in Mexico.. Hahahaha
          If only these guys could afford the GOOD steroids that don’t get detected hahaha. Iverbure can fill us in on the details

          Reply
      • tecjug

        6 years ago

        If you were a player in MLB with half a brain, you’d know to call MLB’s toll-free number to ask them if any of the ingredients in your prescription skin cream are banned.

        2
        Reply
      • JoeBrady

        6 years ago

        “I’ve got some skin cream for rosacea that would get any player in mlb suspended.”

        You wouldn’t suspended because you would’ve asked your doctor if it was okay to take, then followed up with your team doctor, the GM, the manager, and your agent would’ve sent a letter to MLB to confirm what you were taking.

        When I go for a physical, or a colonoscopy, or anything else, I always ask what I need to do to be ready. Bad things can happen to good people, but this is the same excuse every player uses.

        1
        Reply
      • iains 2

        6 years ago

        There are no legal sources for osterine. It’s all blackmarket. usada.org/substance-profile-ostarine/

        Reply
    • tycobb016

      6 years ago

      Why didn”t he just get on the Therapeutic Use Exemption List MLB offers up?

      1
      Reply
      • Cat Mando

        6 years ago

        TUE’s are only for medications that are needed and can be prescribed in the US. Ostarine is not approved for use in the US (or most of the world) for any reason at all.
        Now if it was a cream like iverblue always likes to bring up, then yes, a TUE would be possible.

        Reply
        • tycobb016

          6 years ago

          I rest my case

          Reply
        • semut

          6 years ago

          “Now if it was a cream like iverblue always likes to bring up…” Hahaha what, you mean guys aren’t using corticosteroid creams to improve their swings??

          Reply
  2. Bob Melvin

    6 years ago

    Darn it Frankie! Off to the garage sale looking for pitching I guess. Sincerely Bob!!

    1
    Reply
    • sherlock_

      6 years ago

      They need Manaea to come back quickly

      Reply
      • ChapmansVacuum

        6 years ago

        He was reported to be throwing one more sim game before going out on a rehab assignment, so soon, and Luzardo just got bumped up to AAA after destroying A ball in his rehab.

        Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          He already threw the sim game, according to Martin Gallegos. Came out feeling great. He should be on rehab assignment some time next week.

          Reply
  3. sherlock_

    6 years ago

    Nooooooo! Frankie how could you do this to us A’s fans?!? We were all talking about how he was our new ace and how he would lead the team down the stretch! Don’t wanna put it all on the PEDs but no wonder he was pitching so well…

    4
    Reply
    • sherlock_

      6 years ago

      This is a huge blow to the A’s pitching. I honestly think this could ruin their chances at a postseason birth.

      2
      Reply
    • timw3558

      6 years ago

      I’m sure he had the fans in mind and sticking it to them

      7
      Reply
    • CaptainHook

      6 years ago

      It hurts a lot for A’s fans, and it might mess up this year, but considering how a lot of guys have come back from PED suspensions, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still a pretty effective pitcher in seasons to come

      1
      Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        6 years ago

        Really hard to tell how much the PED’s did. Dude always threw high 90’s, and would it really have affected the splitter that much?

        I mean, obviously you just don’t use them, but I’d be curious to see what kind of pitcher he is next year.

        1
        Reply
        • iverbure

          6 years ago

          Why would anything change? Lol people don’t even know the primary reason for taking PEDs in baseball.

          2
          Reply
        • arc89

          6 years ago

          What I am afraid of is the A’s have a knee jerk reaction and over pay for a starter. Remember last time a pitcher went down the Hammels/lester trade happened. I hpe the A’s stay patient and not over react.

          Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          The A’s in 2014 were a much better team on paper, and actually had some pitching. The A’s in 2019 have no actual pitching core and are still trying to find an identity as a team besides just eating pitches.

          Beane/Forst won’t overpay when they know they have so much pitching on the way.

          Reply
        • tieran711

          6 years ago

          PEDs don’t wear off the second heb stops taking them we won’t know if they are responsible until five or even according to some studies 10 years down the line when the residual effects have subsided.

          Reply
        • ChapmansVacuum

          6 years ago

          In 2014 they were in command of the division at the time of the trade and had won it the previous two years, this year the best they can hope for is Manaea or Luzardo in a one game play in, so I doubt they make any sort of drastic move.

          They have pitching coming and lots of performing AAA reserve prospects for and position player that goes down. They may add one pitcher if it comes cheap, but the team seems to be pretty set for depth once some of the starters return. They still have additional depth in Blackburn/Megden/Kapprillian/Holmes on top of the other returning hurlers. Live with the pitchers they have this season and keep the depth, and know that the staff will be great next year with full seasons from most of the partials this year.

          1
          Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          Kaprielian, Holmes and Jefferies (who is in the same boat) are unlikely to be rotation reinforcements. Neither has pitched a full season in years, so they’re at best bullpen arms this season if they’re absolutely needed. MAYBE they try a tandem rotation, but that’s a really big bullpen retool, because you’d need a reliable and durable long man.

          Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          6 years ago

          So why don’t you explain it to everyone dr iverbure?

          3
          Reply
        • Ejemp2006

          6 years ago

          Steroids and HGH basically improve every aspect of health, especially vision.

          1
          Reply
        • michael serra

          6 years ago

          “Lol people don’t even know the primary reason for taking PEDs in baseball.”

          And, of course, you’re the only one that knows what we are too stupid to figure out, right? I’ll take a shot…for enhancing their performance and thus, getting an enhanced paycheck?

          Reply
      • thegoldenone

        6 years ago

        You have already seen him off them. These failed tests you hear about are way after it happens. The suspension doesn’t get announced until after all appeal process have already been completed. It might have even been a spring training test he failed.

        Reply
        • Priggs89

          6 years ago

          The effects don’t just go away the second you stop using…

          Reply
    • tieran711

      6 years ago

      PEDs improved his control?

      Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        6 years ago

        Improved his durability, but the command and control look for real, which is still exciting.

        Reply
  4. Priggs89

    6 years ago

    At least they worked I guess…

    13
    Reply
    • Dixon Miaz

      6 years ago

      Lmao this comment is gold

      Reply
    • Robertowannabe

      6 years ago

      What is really funny is when a guy is suspended and you look at his stats and you think, man, are you sure this guy was juicing because stinks and looks thin a rail…..

      Reply
  5. Chucky25

    6 years ago

    very disappointing

    Reply
  6. HalosHeavenJJ

    6 years ago

    Wow. One of those stories where I was glad to see the kid putting it all together (I like watching young talent emerge, even on rival teams).

    Cue the “I didn’t knowingly” excuse of Bonds, Papi, etc……

    1
    Reply
    • sherlock_

      6 years ago

      And that’s what we got. He pretty much downplayed it.

      Reply
  7. DarkSide830

    6 years ago

    cmon man, i really liked this guy.

    Reply
  8. SuperSinker

    6 years ago

    Stop the war on drugs

    1
    Reply
  9. Zachg547

    6 years ago

    Now we know why he was good.

    2
    Reply
    • ChiSox_Fan

      6 years ago

      Now we know why Sox got rid of him in exchange for Todd Frazier.

      Reply
  10. sacball

    6 years ago

    There’s no way this is why Luzardo hasn’t made his AAA start yet…could it? realistically he could take his 40 & 25-man spot

    1
    Reply
    • layventsky

      6 years ago

      Isn’t Luzardo rehabbing an injury?

      Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        6 years ago

        Yeah, he had a shoulder strain. He’s supposed to make his first Triple A start on Saturday, I believe. No, this doesn’t mean he’ll just jump up to the majors. The A’s will be careful with him. Means we’ll see Mengden or Blackburn back up…

        Reply
        • bigjonliljon

          6 years ago

          Changes what the team said earlier about Luzardo needing to look good in that start rather than just survive it. Now I think it’s more like survive the rehab start and his next start will be in Oakland. They’ll go with a bullpen game to cover Montas next scheduled start and then bring up Luzardo

          Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          If there’s a pitcher I trust to just come up and not worry about how it affects their mentality if they get rocked it’s Luzardo. His makeup is nuts.

          Reply
  11. PhilliesBob1980

    6 years ago

    Will these guys ever learn? Cheaters can win, tests don’t lie. Ugh!

    Reply
    • drgntrnr

      6 years ago

      Because there’s a lot of guys out there using peds right now that aren’t getting popped, and the majority never will be caught either.

      3
      Reply
      • Priggs89

        6 years ago

        It really is amazing how many people actually believe the only ones using are the ones that get caught.

        Reply
    • Lennon's Dad

      6 years ago

      I agree, cheaters can win.

      The Patriots have proven that time and time again.

      3
      Reply
  12. Buddy “Bud” Hull

    6 years ago

    Yeah, it really sucks, but the strides he was making seem legitimate. The A’s get to save a *little* bit of money and, hey who knows, maybe they’ll give a realistic shot to a certain starting pitcher to two in their minor league system as a result.

    Reply
  13. BowserCubs

    6 years ago

    Imagine trading Wheeler for Montas two days ago on fantasy thinking was about to put the team on the right track.

    Reply
  14. BowserCubs

    6 years ago

    Imagine trading Wheeler for Montas two days ago on fantasy thinking was about to put the team on the right track.

    Reply
    • BowserCubs

      6 years ago

      Why the hell every time I post something it goes two times?

      Reply
      • sherlock_

        6 years ago

        It goes away when you exit page and reload

        1
        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          6 years ago

          look up a thread

          Reply
  15. damon389

    6 years ago

    I was thinking this morning that if the A’s made the WC, they finally have that stud who could dominate and finally win a playoff series.

    Those were fun times…

    3
    Reply
    • RunDMC

      6 years ago

      Maneaa, Luzardo, Puk all coming up — that’s incredible depth. Just get through the next 2+ weeks and you should start having reinforcements. Maybe get Dallas Braden to come down from the booth.

      Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        6 years ago

        And Dunshee, Howard, Jefferies and Kaprielian.

        2
        Reply
        • Asfan0780

          6 years ago

          They shouldn’t be relying on pitchers with limited experience above AA and coming back from injury. Those pitchers will have to be handled cautiously and with inning limits at some point. Kaprelian and jeffries had pitched barely last 2 years they ain’t tossing them are wrecklessly into a wildcard race

          1
          Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          No for sure, and they hopefully won’t need to. I’d like to maybe see them come up as relievers this year, but ideally they put up a healthy season before we seriously consider putting them into stressful situations like a pennant race.

          Howard and Dunshee are healthy, though, and while Dunshee has been touched up he’s still got the stuff. Drop the walks, and the K’s are there. Luzardo and Manaea, if they think Manaea will be healthy enough, will get first cracks. Until then we’ll switch out Blackburn and Mengden until we get one of those two up.

          Reply
        • RunDMC

          6 years ago

          With how prominent the opener is being used, I don’t see why Puk couldn’t be valuable down the stretch as the 2nd pitcher after an opener to get quality innings while his IP down and getting him ML experience in (mostly) non-pressure situations. That’s as kid-gloves as it gets.

          Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          Puk COULD be the opener. They’re going to bump him up to 50 pitches tonight, but they probably don’t want him throwing any more than that while he’s on the mend from TJS.

          Reply
  16. bucketbrew35

    6 years ago

    “While I never intended to take any prohibited substance, I unfortunately and unknowingly ingested a contaminated supplement that I had purchased over-the-counter at a nutrition store here in the United States.”

    Can we stop using this line already? It’s getting old.

    9
    Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      No, the extremely overbearing policy MLB has is what’s old.

      Reply
      • youngTank15

        6 years ago

        Guys get suspended more games for PEDs than abusing their wives/girlfriends. Addison Russell got 40 games while Frankie Montas gets 80, Its a joke.

        4
        Reply
        • kingcong95

          6 years ago

          Such is the state of the justice system. Whichever is easier to prove is also easier to punish.

          Reply
        • macstruts

          6 years ago

          Frankie Montes stole millions of dollars. He’s a thief. He stole wins from frans owners and teams. He stole ABs from hitters.

          To only get an 80 game suspension for stealing millions of dollars is a joke.

          1
          Reply
        • macstruts

          6 years ago

          Do you a really think about this much. So if a player hits his wife a player gets suspended and that’s zero income that the player gets. Which means his wife loses money as well.

          So if a player wife gets hit, she’s going to lose some serous coin and you want her to lose more coin.

          That’s the travesty.

          Reply
        • youngTank15

          6 years ago

          So what you are saying is that there should be no suspension or jail time for domestic abuse because that would mean no money for the wife? That’s complete nonsense, Montas stole no ones money but it looks like we know what you’re priorities are for society.

          Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        6 years ago

        How is the policy overbearing? It should just be the wild west out there again.

        1
        Reply
    • ChapmansVacuum

      6 years ago

      I mean if its legit he can prove it and appeal right? Show them the supplement that has it and isnt supposed to, buy some more from the same location and test that to see if it is a bad batch. If its true prove it otherwise its probably BS.

      2
      Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        6 years ago

        Could probably give them the contaminated supplement to test, but at most they reduce the suspension to 40 games. They still have to punish him for using an over the counter supplement. Kind of a silly mistake, regardless of who is at fault.

        1
        Reply
    • Lennon's Dad

      6 years ago

      The contaminated bit was new. He must not have read the warning on the product packaging just after that the ingredients list that states “May contain traces of wheat, nuts, milk, and PED’s”.

      3
      Reply
    • BlueSkyLA

      6 years ago

      Without believing or disbelieving his story, we should at least understand that dietary supplements are not regulated as medicines but as foods. So is it possible for a supplement to be contaminated due to sloppy manufacturing methods? You bet it is.

      Reply
  17. jorge78

    6 years ago

    Aren’t they supposed to have lists of approved supplements from MLB?

    1
    Reply
    • Cat Mando

      6 years ago

      A hard copy list, an online list, a toll free # to ask questions and a website to ask questions

      6
      Reply
    • rez2405 2

      6 years ago

      And a list of approved lines to feed the media with for when you get caught too.

      8
      Reply
  18. sra7kids

    6 years ago

    As an A’;s fan…hope Luzardo progresses out of AAA quickly and Manaea completes his rehab soon. Cotton and Puk would be helpful as well.

    Reply
    • athleticsnchill

      6 years ago

      Luzardo makes his first Triple A start on Saturday, Manaea should be starting his rehab in Stockton in the next week or so, Puk should move up to Double A after his start tonight. On top of that, Kaprielian should join Puk up in Midland and Jefferies could move up to Triple A with that ridiculous K/BB ratio of his.

      1
      Reply
      • rathman53

        6 years ago

        I think Howard is near ready also.

        Reply
        • Strike Four

          6 years ago

          Love Howard, think he’s going to have a handful of quality seasons in his career. He’s still at AA though.

          Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          The A’s aren’t afraid to call players up from Double A if they feel they’re ready. However, Howard has struggled in his last few starts, so he’s probably not going to get the Anderson/Cahill/Gray treatment and get called up straight from Double A.

          Reply
      • Strike Four

        6 years ago

        At most, Luzardo is making that AAA start then going to MLB, however, the A’s might look at the AAA launching pad and wonder if it’s actually a waste of time to have him give up a boatload of runs and ruin his confidence. Luzardo was ready before he got hurt, if he’s not hurt anymore he’s probably good to go 5 IP in MLB ASAP.

        Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          They could use a humidor all they want, but that elevation is going to affect the way a ball breaks. Could be why Dunshee is having so many issues with walks/contact, because he previously played in Beloit, Stockton and Midland, where the ball isn’t affected the same way.

          Reply
        • ChapmansVacuum

          6 years ago

          Yeah that new park seems to be an insane launching pad. I look at the box scores each day for the minor league teams and most of the starts where Tanner Anderson/Dunshee have gotten lit up have been at home mostly vs good teams like ELO and Tor AAA team before they called up all the top guys. Megden and Blackburn too have been lit up at home. On the other side of it despite a ton of the top or just unqualified former top prospects are lighting it up in a real way, but Mateo and a few others power numbers may be a little deceptive.

          Reply
        • athleticsnchill

          6 years ago

          On the other hand, Mateo and all those unqualified former top prospects are also lighting up literally everywhere else too. Lots of line drives, opposite field hits.

          Reply
        • Strike Four

          6 years ago

          I think we all need to agree not to read too much into that whole leagues pitching stats, but put the hitting ones under an extreme microscope. They should make all the teams move the fences out further asap though.

          Reply
        • ChapmansVacuum

          6 years ago

          No yeah Neuse, Baretto, Fowler, Mateo, all killing it, but I think the lesser powered folks might have a few extra that just went out in LV. So a few HR into 2B dropping the slugging a little. They are all producing well and under 25 still.

          Reply
  19. BrodiesHairisGreezy!

    6 years ago

    Officer I really don’t know how that Gun got into my right hand…..

    Reply
    • ChapmansVacuum

      6 years ago

      If the gloves dont fit you must acquit!!!!!

      Reply
  20. jdgoat

    6 years ago

    Way to let your team and fans down, genius!

    Reply
  21. jorge78

    6 years ago

    Can he tell the world what brand he bought please? For research purposes of course!

    Reply
    • athleticsnchill

      6 years ago

      I’d be interested in them testing the supplement that was supposedly contaminated. Shouldn’t lower the suspension, because players gotta learn if they want something specific they should get it through the head trainer, not over the counter.

      Their health is incredibly important to the team, for obvious reasons.

      Reply
      • ChapmansVacuum

        6 years ago

        If its really a contaminated batch that doesnt list the banned substance on the ingredients and they can prove it by purchasing unopened product that also tests positive then MLB would probably rescind the suspension, but if they could prove that they probably would. He would not be held accountable for taking something that wasnt supposed to be in the product he was purchasing, but proving it is a high bar since they would need dirty samples with a chain of custody never involving Montas that matched his product.

        Melky Cabrera famously made a website for a fake supplement when he tested positive to try and claim it was not his fault, but he rigged it up himself and got caught fast. I think at least one player was able to prove tainted product outside there control getting the suspension overturned but I cant remember who.

        Reply
  22. CrewBrew

    6 years ago

    MLB: “where did you get these steroids?”

    Montas: “uhhh. uhhhhhhh”

    *Braun flees to Germany*

    4
    Reply
    • Chris

      6 years ago

      Bought off a website his friend Melky told him about

      Reply
  23. rathman53

    6 years ago

    Gonna say that Ostarine probably didnt teach Frankie how to throw a plus splitter this year.

    1
    Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      Pretty much all players who take PEDs take them to just try and stay healthy. Frankie’s going to be a great late season add for the A’s, but they definitely should trade for Stroman right now.

      Reply
      • 24TheKid

        6 years ago

        By late season you mean one start in the last week of the season?

        Reply
        • Strike Four

          6 years ago

          Yup, maybe 2 – then the WC game.

          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          6 years ago

          He’s not allowed in the playoffs.

          Reply
        • baycommuter 2

          6 years ago

          Best case is he could pitch a play-in game.

          Reply
      • athleticsnchill

        6 years ago

        They won’t trade for Stroman unless the Blue Jays’ asking price is a bucket of baseballs. Literally every other team in contention will give up more than the A’s, because the A’s know he isn’t the long term solution.

        This is about patching at this point until we get pitchers back.

        Reply
        • Strike Four

          6 years ago

          Stroman’s not a long term solution, but he’s for sure better a short term bridge than anyone else. I think Fowler, Pinder and Holmes bring him to Oakland.

          Reply
        • hockeyjohn

          6 years ago

          Toronto wants starting pitching in a Stroman trade. It is not a sure thing that Holmes sticks as a starter, I don’t think Strike Four’s package would make Toronto pull the trigger on a deal.

          Reply
        • ChapmansVacuum

          6 years ago

          Why on earth would the A’s give up what it will take to get Stroman in a WC race? The only reason to even consider a move like that is if theyre ahead of HOU by like 5 games at the deadline!

          Reply
      • ChapmansVacuum

        6 years ago

        Yeah its mostly about bounce back and rehab assistance nowadays more then getting McGuire jacked on the types of Anabolics they were taking in the 90’s.

        Reply
  24. fisk72

    6 years ago

    Damn Nutrition Stores!

    Reply
    • ChapmansVacuum

      6 years ago

      Some tainted hippy health food place he went to in Berkley with Ostrine Pachouli sticks contaminating everything.

      Reply
  25. letimmysmoke55

    6 years ago

    damn reminds me of what happened with melky and the Giants

    Reply
    • candlestick22

      6 years ago

      reminds me of what happened with Bartolo and the A’s

      Reply
  26. Lars MacDonald

    6 years ago

    And another player from the DR is caught using PEDs.
    I’m shocked !!! (Sarcasm…)
    Is MLB ever going to deal with this? It’s a systematic problem in the DR.

    Reply
    • Chris

      6 years ago

      I think for many of them, the benefit far outweighs the punishment. If endurance or slight increase in skill gets you a multimillion dollar contract, then what’s a few months suspension and a fake apology?

      Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      Sarcasm or racism?

      Reply
      • Lars MacDonald

        6 years ago

        Would you stop with the “racism” accusations. The DR is a country, not an ethnic group and Chris was talking about economic realities in a poor country, not race. We don’t need the PC police on this site.

        2
        Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      Literally says “While I never intended to take any prohibited substance, I unfortunately and unknowingly ingested a contaminated supplement that I had purchased over-the-counter at a nutrition store here in the United States.”

      Like, just stop it.

      Reply
      • jdgoat

        6 years ago

        That’s what everybody says lol

        Reply
      • murphydog

        6 years ago

        Was Frank Thomas there too. Oh, by the way, she’ll like it too.

        Reply
  27. sufferforsnakes

    6 years ago

    Stunning news? Not really. Many of today’s players do whatever they can to get ahead.

    Reply
  28. Cam

    6 years ago

    Just own up to it.

    Reply
  29. pjmcnu

    6 years ago

    Not that stunning. Montas with a sub-3 ERA? It’s a miracle! Whole new approach! The A’s figured out how to develop him where others couldn’t! What a pitching coach! Oh wait…

    Reply
  30. toycannon

    6 years ago

    Why is he not subject to deportation? Any non famous person here on a work visa/green card would be in danger of being deported.

    Reply
    • baycommuter 2

      6 years ago

      Why, it’s not a crime, it’s baseball rule.

      2
      Reply
  31. ElMagoN9ne

    6 years ago

    How are all the nobody players getting caught yet Eric Thames, Ryan Braun, Domingo Santana, jesus agular, marcell ozuna are not being tested on the regular. Ozuna is likely off them now. Thames brain Santana are very likely still on them.

    1
    Reply
    • Priggs89

      6 years ago

      The same way Arrieta wasn’t tested on the regular.

      Reply
      • ElMagoN9ne

        6 years ago

        Arrieta wasn’t juicing. There’s no evidence to proof it. Santana, ozuna agular never had more than 15 home runs in a season. suddenly they are hitting 20+ before the all star break. You know who else did that before the allstar break whose career high was 42ish homeruns. Barry bonds. One of the biggest known cheaters in all of baseball. Not as bad as ARod but still bad.

        1
        Reply
    • Lanidrac

      6 years ago

      Maybe because Ozuna was playing hurt last year and is healthy now. At least do some research before you throw out blind accusations without any real evidence.

      Reply
      • ElMagoN9ne

        6 years ago

        Ozuna nearly tripled his homeruns and rbi the year after Barry bonds was his hitting coach. Coincidence? I dont think so.

        1
        Reply
  32. al080991

    6 years ago

    They don’t kick you out of the MLB until the third strike. So your still on the work visa I would assume, correct me if I’m wrong. Also why would you buy anything over the counter, without talking to your teams medical staff or front office? I’m sure someone with the A’s knew this stuff was illegal.

    Reply
    • bradthebluefish

      6 years ago

      Agreed. Silly mistake. Cost him half the season and a Cy Young award/nomination.

      Reply
    • Lanidrac

      6 years ago

      He claims it wasn’t illegal, though, merely tainted.

      Reply
  33. Comrade Tipsy McStagger

    6 years ago

    It’s too bad he isn’t American. He could use this time to throw his hat in the ring for President of the United States.

    Reply
  34. bradthebluefish

    6 years ago

    Let’s say Montas was truthful that he “unknowingly” took PEDs in his supplements. Shouldn’t he be able to fight this ruling?

    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      6 years ago

      He did have the opportunity, but gave it up.

      Reply
  35. kelticknotz

    6 years ago

    At the beginning of each spring training camp the MLB offices send representatives around to each team to talk to the players as a group about banned substances and PED’s and about other areas such as moral conduct on and off the field,
    No athlete performing on the professional or world stage can claim ignorance. There are team doctors if you need something, and they know what is banned, The Canadian Olympic team went as far was to develop a cold remedy that was within the guide lines.

    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      6 years ago

      Yeah, but according to his statement, he only took a non-banned substance that happened to be tainted. The only way to avoid an accident like that is to avoid taking supplements altogether.

      Reply
  36. julyn82001

    6 years ago

    Cánseco and McGuire lead the way on steroids used – LaRussa was very aware – along with Bonds and others… Still, this is unfortunate for Montas…

    Reply
    • ChapmansVacuum

      6 years ago

      There was no testing at the time, and I believe the fine at the time if you did get caught was like 5k. Things have changed. Willy Mays loved his amphetamines, Babe Ruth had shark cells injected in his stomach, Gaylord Perry got in the HoF throwing spitters….. Players have been skirting the rules to gain an advantage for a long long time.

      Reply
  37. Lanidrac

    6 years ago

    If his story is true, that’s a bad sign for our legal drug manufacturing industry. If even the U.S. plants are that incompetent, professional athletes might need to swear off all supplements stronger than multivitamins.

    Reply
  38. Priggs89

    6 years ago

    “While I never intended to take any prohibited substance, I unfortunately and unknowingly ingested a contaminated supplement that I had purchased over-the-counter at a nutrition store here in the United States.”

    1) How do you know the supplement you purchased over-the-counter is what contained the PED you were suspended for? Did you get it tested? If not, you can’t make that claim. Literally anything you ingested could’ve been contaminated with Ostarine.

    2) If you did get the supplement tested, did Ostarine somehow show up without it being a listed ingredient? If so, an appeal would seem like a pretty easy win.

    3) This story is obviously a lie.

    Reply
  39. neurogame

    6 years ago

    If the supplement he took was over-the-counter, is he prohibited from naming it? Why can’t he name it? If it’s true, that would at the very least help out others trying the supplement as well and dispel doubters against it.

    Name the f*’ing supplement.

    Reply
    • Cam

      6 years ago

      There is no tainted supplement.

      Reply
  40. NYMETSHEA

    6 years ago

    Professional athletes have no excuse about the use of banned substance, especially when purchased in the United States. MLB and MLBPA both have resources that include scientifically tested supplements that are safe for the players to use. There is no excuse to test random supplements to improve themselves in random human trial on themselves. Not poor or graduate students looking for extra money by conducting human trials on themselves etc If they request supplements, their agent/team/player association may provide the supplement without any cost to themselves (minimal for professional player that receives MLB salary…even base… as in this case)..

    Substance that was detected does not come in common use, and other commentators have stated that the substance is banned. Not a thing found in skin cream etc. PED and steroids benefit have been overblown throughout the years, but some people seem to be trivializing their benefit in recent years. It’s not just stamina. It’s not just recovery time. It does a ton of different things, including vision (something beneficial to both hitter and pitcher). It won’t make you hulk over night (not that you want to be bulky for baseball), but sure as help make you a better player (otherwise cheaters would not be using them against the rules)..

    Frankie Montas has had issues establishing himself in the MLB, and his fastball speed wasn’t enough to make huge strides. After last year, his stats improved drastically. Some could be attributed to normal growth a player may experience, but it should have sent most fans wondering what was different about this pitcher. After the association with PED and MLB was infused into the public perception, any drastic improvement should merit question into thee reason for the improvement.

    Reply
  41. Sid Bream

    6 years ago

    Before everyone hangs Montas you should have a read and attempt to comprehend what is written.

    ‘The unfortunate reality is that some dietary supplement manufacturers illegally put ostarine and other SARMs in their products, and some omit ostarine from the label entirely or use misleading names to confuse consumers’, writes UFC/USADA. ‘You should look out for ostarine’s many synonyms, including MK-2866, enobasarm, (2S)-3-(4-cyanophenoxy)-N-[4-cyano-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide, and GTx-024 on supplement labels’.

    There is no doubt that USADA intends this advice to help athletes. However, the Prohibited List contains hundreds of substances, as well as phrasing that it could be argued is confusing. It includes the prohibition of ‘other substances with a similar chemical structure’, as well as categories of prohibited substances, metabolites of substances and isomers (substances with a similar atomic structure).

    Even if you check the Prohibited List, you can still test positive. Checking that the ingredients in a supplement do not feature on the Prohibited List is no guarantee that you will not return an AAF. For example, the List prohibits all Beta-2 agonists without naming them. This does not help an athlete when checking supplement ingredients, unless they happen to know the names of all Beta-2 agonists.

    1
    Reply
  42. docmilo5

    6 years ago

    Maybe he was taking Extenz for his girl.

    Reply
  43. pr0ject2501

    6 years ago

    Blackball this kid. He’s a cheater.

    Reply
  44. angelsfan1522

    6 years ago

    That’s what money ball didn’t tell us lol

    Reply
  45. Bob Melvin

    6 years ago

    We will ship him to Double A when he returns!!

    Reply

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