A wild Friday just got a little crazier – Minnesota Twins starter Ervin Santana has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for Stanozolol.
Twins pitcher Ervin Santana has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Stanozolol.
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) April 3, 2015
The 32-year old Santana signed a four year, $55 million contract with the Twins this offseason after one year with the Atlanta Braves. With the Braves in 2014, Santana had a 3.95 ERA in 496 innings, striking out 179 and walking 63.
Santana was lined up to be the Twins’ #2 starter behind Phil Hughes, and would have started the team’s home opener next week against his former team, the reigning AL champion Kansas City Royals.
Santana released a statement about the positive test, claiming ignorance.
Ervin Santana releases a statement on his 80-game suspension pic.twitter.com/G9AiOoGTHK
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 3, 2015
You’d think this would open the door for the Twins to promote someone like Trevor May or Alex Meyer to fill Santana’s rotation spot, but they’ll probably end up signing a veteran castoff from another team. Hey, the Braves just released Wandy Rodriguez! That’ll work!
