Starling Marte, an All-Star outfielder emerging as one of the game’s top all-around young talents, was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for nandrolone.
Nandrolone is the same substance that emerged during Barry Bonds 2011 perjury trial and the BALCO investigation.
Marte, 23, won a Gold Glove in 2016 and batted .311 with a .362 on-base percentage, and stole 47 bases last season. This is a devastating blow for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Major League Baseball Players’ Association, released a statement that Marte expressed both culpability and recklessness in testing positive.
“I have been informed that I have tested positive in one of the tests that are regularly done in my job,” Marte said in the statement. “In this very difficult moment, I apologize to my family, the Pittsburgh Pirates, my teammates, my fans, and baseball in general. Neglect and lack of knowledge have led me to this mistake with the high price to pay for being away from the field that I enjoy and love so much. With much embarrassment and helplessness, I ask for forgiveness for unintentionally disrespecting so many people who have trusted in my work and have supported me so much. I promise to learn the lesson that this ordeal has left me. God bless you.”
Marte is a 23-year-old star that needs to understand what substances you’re putting into your body. He’s young and hopefully, this doesn;t happen for him again. This a very a big penalty because even if Pittsburgh makes the postseason, under the new rules, he’s not eligible to play. The rule changed in 2014.
Any Player who is suspended for a violation of Sections 7.A, 7.E, 7.F, or 7G.2 involving a Performance Enhancing Substance shall be barred from participating in the post-season (including, without limitation, being in uniform during his Club’s post-season games) during the season in which his suspension commenced even after completion of his suspension.
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