Major League Baseball announced today that Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. It was reported a couple of weeks ago that Rojas had tested positive for a PED but that he was appealing. It now appears the appeals process has been completed, as Rojas will begin serving his suspension to begin the 2026 season.
Rojas, 25, has been Philadelphia’s center fielder for a decent chunk of the past three seasons. He gets great marks for his defense and also steals bases but his offense has been more questionable. Since the start of 2024, he has a .237/.279/.312 batting line. That translates to a 64 wRC+, indicating he was 36% below league average at the plate in that time.
Despite his assets, the lack of offense has pushed the Phillies to move on from relying on Rojas. They acquired Harrison Bader at last year’s deadline. Bader became a free agent at season’s end but the Phils plan to give prospect Justin Crawford the job.
Rojas could have started 2026 as a fourth outfielder or perhaps getting regular playing time in the minors. If Crawford struggled in his first exposure to major league pitching, Rojas could have been a speed-and-defense fallback. That’s now off the table for the first half of the season. Rojas could return in the second half but players who receive PED suspensions aren’t eligible for the postseason.
Without Rojas, the Phils feel a bit light in terms of center field depth. Left fielder Brandon Marsh has experience there but is probably stretched defensively. Pedro León is on the 40-man but has just seven big league games under his belt. Utility player Dylan Moore has some limited experience in center. He’s not on the roster but could be selected to serve in a multi-positional bench role.
As Opening Day gets closer, it’s possible some other guys become available. As teams make their final roster decisions, some guys will end up on waivers or in free agency. Perhaps the Phillies can add some extra center field coverage in the coming weeks.
Photo courtesy of Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images
We should start trying the PEDs that actually make you hit better, mmkay?
After two seasons of 67 and 57 OPS+ he must have seen the writing on the wall and taken the risk.
Now he is definitely toast.
He did not know what he was taking. Big misunderstanding. Lol.
Dubya said he was misuninformed.
That’s unfortunate.
would be funny for a player to come out and say “yeah i doped to try to get paid in arb because I just cant hit”
There were reports out there that Miguel Rojas was suspended. I’m so glad it’s not true. Would have been a huge bummer.
He took the term “horse pill” as literal sense and took a steroid pill medication for horses. (Will Ferrell What an idiot gif here)
BYE, FELICIA.
Get these cheaters off my team already. I’m already dreading the bad juju that will come with tramposo Alvarado. I can’t forgive this in the modern age. They know the rules, and so do I.
What is with the Phillies and PED suspensions
Another Dominican. *yawn*
I hope Evan Drellich called Miguel Rojas personally after that blunder. This isn’t the type of news to mess around with even as a genuine mistake.
Who’s that?
Isn’t this a horse steroid? Ha
Most of these steroids are meant for Horses….at least the old school ones players were using during the steroid era anyways.
Apparently he’s been hanging out with Bob Baffert.
Neigh…
Where’s Profars appeal?
He needs to stop horsing around…
In unrelated news on a positive note, Johan will be running in the Derby this year…
Boldenone sounds like a drug that gives you courage.
“Put him in the bathroom” (A Bronx Tale movie reference) w/ Profar.
“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t do right, you ain’t gonna be a thing.”
Learn your rules! You’d better learn your rules!
Here are ALL the current MLB players that have been suspended for PED cheating….What do they all have in common? A clue…even Max Kepler. Thirteen for thirteen.
Rojas, Jorge Polanco, Noelvi Marte, Starling Marge, Gregory Santos, Jurickson Profar, Frankie Montas, Emanuel Clase, Jose Alvarado, Orelvis Martinez, Fernando Tatis Jr, Max Kepler and Romon Laureano.
Do they all eat Wheaties?
If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’.
If you ain’t cheating, you have integrity. My best against your best. Not my best against your chemically dependent best.
Phillies also have Bryan De La Cruz in camp. He has had a good spring. He’s an option to make the team. He’s had a far better spring training than Moore has & is a natural outfielder