San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. suspended 80 games after testing positive for PED

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Tatis' suspension, announced by MLB on Friday, is effective immediately, meaning the All-Star shortstop cannot play in the majors this year. In a statement, Tatis said he is not appealing the ban as it was his «mistake» that led to the positive test.

«It turns out that I inadvertently took a medication to treat ringworm that contained Clostebol,» Tatis said. «I should have used the resources available to me in order to ensure that no banned substances were in what I took. I failed to do so.

»I want to apologize to Peter [Seidler], AJ [Preller], the entire Padres organization, my teammates, Major League Baseball, and fans everywhere for my mistake. I have no excuse for my error, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love. I have taken countless drug tests throughout my professional career, including on March 29, 2022, all of which have returned negative results until this test.

«I am completely devastated. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than on the field competing with my teammates. After initially appealing the suspension, I have realized that my mistake was the cause of this result, and for that reason I have decided to start serving my suspension immediately. I look forward to rejoining my teammates on the field in 2023.»

Tatis was on a minor league rehabilitation assignment after missing the first four months of the season because of a broken left wrist, the result of a motorcycle accident that required surgery. He will now be on the