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Carlos Martinez Receives 80-Game Suspension After Positive PED Test

By Darragh McDonald | May 27, 2022 at 11:00pm CDT

Major League Baseball has announced that right-handed pitcher Carlos Martinez has been given an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Ibutamoren, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

This is yet another setback in what has been a very difficult few years for Martinez, despite an encouraging start to his career. From his 2013 debut as a 21-year-old through the 2019 campaign, he appeared in 253 games for the Cardinals, including 118 starts, logging 864 2/3 innings. In that time, he had a 3.36 ERA, 23.4% strikeout rate, 9% walk rate and 53.1% ground ball rate, producing 14.6 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs.

Unfortunately, injuries started to wear on him in recent campaigns. Though he was still effective in 2019, he had been bumped from the rotation to a bullpen role due to injury concerns. In 2020, he missed a bunch of time due to a bout with COVID-19 and an oblique strain, ending up with a 9.90 ERA in 20 innings for the campaign. Last year, he returned to the rotation, making 16 starts, but struggled to a 6.23 ERA over 82 1/3 innings, along with a tepid 15.7% strikeout rate. A torn ligament in his pitching hand required surgery that ultimately ended his season, as he last pitched in the big leagues on July 4 last year.

The Cardinals signed him to a five-year extension in February of 2017, while he was in the midst of the high point of his career. That came with club options for 2022 and 2023, though the Cards ending up declining to pick up the option for this year on the heels of those rough campaigns. Martinez latched on with the Giants via a minor league deal in March, though he was released at the end of April and signed another minors pact, this time with the Red Sox. He made just two starts for Triple-A Worcester but was bombed to the tune of 10 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings before getting released again.

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View Comments (82)

Comments

  1. sean-11

    1 month ago

    That’s incredibly sad

    Reply
    • AlbiestheRacistDragon

      1 month ago

      Remember when he buzzed Acuña in the playoffs for not “respecting the game” because he admired a home run?

      Cry me a river.

      Reply
      • John Rocker Fan Club

        1 month ago

        To be fair, Acuna irritates all opposing players.

        Reply
        • holycowdude

          1 month ago

          *pitchers. FTFY

        • marshmallowman

          1 month ago

          what does ftfy mean

        • Cosmo2

          1 month ago

          No idea. Abbreviation is getting out of hand

        • Gwynning

          1 month ago

          Fixed That For You

        • Cosmo2

          1 month ago

          Thanks. The only abbreviation I use is “OK” and that doesn’t even stand for anything as far as I know.

        • Gwynning

          1 month ago

          Np, nbd, ttyl!

      • GarryHarris

        1 month ago

        Rightfully so.
        Ocuna was also benched for dropping a ball while styling that allowed a rally to begin during a pennant race.

        Reply
      • jmchale40

        1 month ago

        Is this?

        I mean really…

        A baseball player put something in his body to increase his performance…plenty of guys on this board pop Viagra to increase theirs.

        Government regulates and limits scientifically produced enhancers, but allows for unchecked performance in fire arms.

        This isn’t sad. Just a weird hypocrisy

        Reply
  2. Cosmo2

    1 month ago

    Oh boy. Too bad what’s happened to his career

    Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      1 month ago

      Too bad? This was all under his control. It was pretty stupid & he may have ruined his own career. No one to blame but himself

      Reply
      • drtymike0509

        1 month ago

        At least he was still able to make 50 mil+. “Too bad” isn’t the term I’d use at all, “well done” seems more appropriate. Probably saw where it was going and took the risk to cheat. All on him, go kick rocks and give your spot to someone else, which he’s done twice already this season anyway…

        Reply
        • Cosmo2

          1 month ago

          I mean “too bad” in that, his career could’ve been a good one if only he’d made better choices.

  3. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    what a fall from grace…

    Reply
  4. gray

    1 month ago

    He should get a refund for that purchase. Nothing of his performance was enhanced..

    Reply
  5. RoastGobot

    1 month ago

    Ohhh nooooooooo

    Reply
  6. geg42

    1 month ago

    I doubt he is helping the Giants this year. An even higher risk signing than they knew.

    Reply
    • AndyWarpath

      1 month ago

      He’s not on the Giants anymore. They split back in April.

      Reply
      • TonyGwynnSD19

        1 month ago

        He was with the Giants in Spring Training. Which was a perfect fit considering Frisco is the Steroid Capital of MLB

        Reply
        • AndyWarpath

          1 month ago

          “Frisco”

          …how to say something without saying something.

        • johnnynoitall

          1 month ago

          Probably Meth and Heroin capital too

        • ben w.

          1 month ago

          Oooh! Dont forget weed! Oh, and probably lsd and mushrooms too!

        • Yankee Clipper

          1 month ago

          Sin capital? Perhaps that covers it best?

        • holycowdude

          1 month ago

          Nah, that’d be home of the 2024 A’s – Las Vegas

        • giantsphan12

          1 month ago

          Yeah you all got it right. We LOVE our drugs here. PEDs, bring em on. Weed? Nah, not strong enough. As Fox News reports, we only due meth, H, coke, and X around here. When I travel to NYC (Yankee Clipper) or San Diego (where NOT TGwynn is from) or wherever Johnnyno is from, I have to take any extra suitcase for my stash, cuz I can’t get my goodies in those other cities.

        • Cosmo2

          1 month ago

          Seems like someone may have struck a nerve

        • Yankee Clipper

          1 month ago

          Giantphan: I’m surprised if you can’t get drugs in NYC. Perhaps you’re venturing into the wrong areas. Seems like an unwarranted risk packing your own narcotics for a flight though, imho. I’d recommend asking one of the NYC cops – they can probably tell you all the areas where dealing is prevalent. Plus, they’re used to giving directions to tourists.

        • gbs42

          1 month ago

          Frisco, TX is the Steroid Capital of MLB? That’s odd since they only have a Double-A team.

        • Yankee Clipper

          1 month ago

          Gbs: They’ve got to get an edge to advance somehow, eh?

        • Rsox

          1 month ago

          Maybe thats the beauty of the plan?

    • mikevm3

      1 month ago

      Well considering he was released by them and then was a Red Sock for 10 days before getting cut again, I don’t think the Giants will worry too much.

      Reply
      • RoastGobot

        1 month ago

        But what will the giants think

        Reply
    • geg42

      1 month ago

      Oops. Forgot that he isn’t helping the Red Sox now.

      Reply
      • MannyPineappleExpress9

        1 month ago

        Won’t be helping the Mud Hens either, but maybe the California Prison League if he plays his cards right.

        Reply
  7. mil

    1 month ago

    Wish I was surprised. Dude is really talented. Too bad he has no work ethic.

    Reply
    • Sheep8

      1 month ago

      Good to know you were at all his in season and out of season workouts and training…love this site for all the insider info!

      Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        1 month ago

        A simple Google search of Cardinals beat writer articles on his work ethic is all you have to do to verify this information. It’s been pretty widely reported on.

        Reply
        • mil

          1 month ago

          If you pay attention you can learn a lot.

      • Eleminopy

        1 month ago

        I mean, come on you don’t need to know his exact schedule. He absolutely had no work ethic from the eyes of a cards fan. He always came in to camp overweight. They even tried once or twice to give him a specific offseason workout that he just seemed brushed off. There were overtures about his work ethic in the cardinals media. He was immature. He just didn’t seem to care and relied on his natural ability, which was so very incredible at times. I remember Pedro Martinez comparisons when he came up. He had so much potential but he also got into troubles at strip clubs.

        I wish the best for him.

        Reply
  8. dtdt

    1 month ago

    Can we get an 80-day moratorium on Carlos Martinez articles?

    Reply
  9. Pads Fans

    1 month ago

    Ibutamoren, also known as MK 677 and Nutrobal, is a substance that increases the levels of Human Growth Hormone (hGH) in the body.

    Reply
  10. Pads Fans

    1 month ago

    From what I am reading elsewhere, the test he failed happened in spring training. Not sure why it took so long to suspend him.

    Reply
    • layventsky

      1 month ago

      PED suspensions usually aren’t made public until the player actually begins serving the suspension. If I had to guess, he was issued the suspension during spring training after the positive test came to light, then he appealed it. Now, he has either lost the appeal or dropped it.

      Reply
  11. ac000000

    1 month ago

    His 15,16,17 were incredible.

    Reply
    • Hippyripper

      1 month ago

      Wut?

      His 13′ 14′ were incredible after that he messed up his shoulder and was alright before becoming a bullpen arm? He was good till 17 like the article says

      Reply
  12. Y4L

    1 month ago

    I guess this explains why Boston released him 2 weeks ago. MLB shouldn’t allow teams to release players when a suspension is forthcoming. It’s not like they are going to be paying them anyway.

    Reply
    • Rsox

      1 month ago

      He wasn’t on the 40 man roster so really what difference does it make?

      Reply
      • Y4L

        1 month ago

        I know it’s just bookkeeping but the team should just let the process play out, then release the player.

        Reply
        • Hippyripper

          1 month ago

          He pitched horrible, had nothing to do with the suspension. He got lit up

        • Y4L

          1 month ago

          Understood, He was horrible but at the time he was released, the Red Sox knew the suspension for on the horizon.

    • DarkSide830

      1 month ago

      free agents get tested too. why must it have happened while he was in the BOS system.

      Reply
      • Y4L

        1 month ago

        Good point.

        Reply
      • Rsox

        1 month ago

        It probably didn’t. The test likely happend during spring training with the Giants. Probably from something he did prior to training camp. There is usually a delay from failed test to suspension

        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          1 month ago

          I mean point being is it’s all speculation. There is no reason to assume anything ill was done by Boston in this situation.

  13. etex211

    1 month ago

    What makes these clowns think they can get away with this stuff?

    Reply
    • vinc3nt3

      1 month ago

      He had nothing to lose at this point. Guess he thought he bought “The Clear”.

      Reply
    • Sheep8

      1 month ago

      Because he had nothing to lose and millions to gain

      Reply
    • dirkg

      1 month ago

      Because unfortunately a lot of them *do* get away with it.

      Reply
  14. Hippyripper

    1 month ago

    Was a huge fan of Carlos Martinez used to have a devastating change up. Sad to see this

    Reply
  15. vinc3nt3

    1 month ago

    Body by Atlas…..brain by Fischer Price. What a waste of talent.

    Reply
  16. DonOsbourne

    1 month ago

    Crazy Carlos living up to the moniker. Just doesn’t get it and probably never will.

    Reply
  17. bryce1344

    1 month ago

    It was obvious to many Cards fans years ago while he had value that while Uber talented he was a head case. They should have traded him then.

    Reply
    • JimmyForum

      1 month ago

      Add Alex Reyes, Paul Dejong, Dylan Carlson, and the latest flash in the pan, Nolan Gorman to your should have traded while they had value list.

      Reply
      • Gwynning

        1 month ago

        What’s wrong with Carlson and Gorman?

        Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        1 month ago

        Lol. One week of Nolan Gorman and he’s already a “flash in the pan”

        Reply
      • MannyBeingMVP

        1 month ago

        As a Cubs’ fan, I would gladly trade Wilson Contreras and Kyle Hendricks for Nolan Gorman in what would be the steal of the decade. Although I do hope that the Cubs will extend Contreras.

        I do think that that Alex Reyes is past his usefulness.

        Reply
      • 17dizzy

        1 month ago

        I agree with every one of they should have been traded when they had value in the minors.

        Now—— What the heck is the actual reason for O’Neal going from Riches to rags this season???

        Reply
        • JimmyForum

          1 month ago

          He was always rags. One season of riches.

  18. mpmks

    1 month ago

    Injuries and sickness destroying a career.he just a wants to get healthy and get back on the field and all is failing and it is slipping away from him forever. He takes a chance to enable another chance at continuing the dream. I understand it and can’t say I wouldn’t do it.

    Reply
  19. Lars MacDonald

    1 month ago

    At this point, we should just call it Dominican Juice since almost everyone who’s been caught since testing started is from the DR.

    Reply
  20. Best Screenname Ever

    1 month ago

    I’ve not spoken with Carlos but I can safely report he has no idea how this got into his system and he will dedicate the rest of his life to finding Nicole’s killer.

    Reply
  21. miltpappas

    1 month ago

    Domini-can’t

    Reply
  22. luca brasi

    1 month ago

    I am reminded of what Dallas Braden said when Frankie Montas was suspended: “ it’s a business decision. These guys feel like they have nothing to lose by rolling the dice.”

    Reply
  23. dclivejazz

    1 month ago

    “This is yet another setback….” My gawd, the guy is a PED cheater. This is more of a revelation or confirmation of what kind of player he is, if not what kind of person.

    Reply
  24. HunkyDory

    1 month ago

    Is it just me or have there been more of these this year than usual?

    Reply
  25. yankista

    1 month ago

    He learned in the RedSuck organization

    Reply
  26. 17dizzy

    1 month ago

    Why did his picture have to be in a Cardinals uniform??? Head Case from day one!

    Reply
    • JimmyForum

      1 month ago

      They pride themself on legacy~ once a cardinal, always a cardinal.

      Reply
  27. Moneyballer

    1 month ago

    He’s like the bitcoin of baseball, career is in freefall!

    Reply
  28. TheMaskedVaxenger

    1 month ago

    Lol always knew he was shady when he played for St. Louis and now this? Makes total sense now if you look back. Also would explain why he have anger issues.

    Play stupid games, win stupid prizes I guess.

    Reply

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