It has been confirmed that Seattle Mariners Second Baseman Robinson Cano has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball for violating their joint drug agreement, testing positive for a drug known as Furosemide.
Source confirms: #Mariners’ Cano will be suspended 80 games for violating baseball’s joint drug agreement. https://t.co/rIcEp7Sztd
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 15, 2018
According to baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy, first-time offenders receive an 80 game suspension and after that the punishments are increased. The second time a player receives a full year suspension, and the third time they are banned from the league.
Cano has responded to the suspension in a statement on twitter and this is what he had to say:
— Robinson Cano (@RobinsonCano) May 15, 2018
This past weekend, the Mariners placed Cano on the 10 day-disabled list after suffering a broken bone in his right hand after being hit by a pitch. Cano’s time on the DL will count towards his suspension.
This is a huge blow for the Mariners as they have been playing some decent baseball through the first 40 games of the season. They currently sit 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Houston Astros for first place in the American League West.
Cano helped contribute to their current success as a veteran leader in the clubhouse. Now, if the Mariners want to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001, they will have to do it with other options for the majority of the season.
The Mariners have not announced what they will do from here in regard to roster moves, but this does open up the option for Center Fielder Dee Gordon to return to his original position at second base for the time being.
The social media world has blown up in the last few hours following the shocking news, but one person in particular isn’t necessarily buying what Cano is claiming:
Aaaand excuse coming in 3….. 2…… 1……
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) May 15, 2018
Cano is due to return to the Mariners in August, but due to MLB’s policy with performance-enhancing drugs, he will be ineligible for the postseason if the Mariners reach October this year.
The Mariners will look to move forward without Cano when they start a two-game series with the Texas Rangers tonight at Safeco Field in Seattle.
