Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Orelvis Martinez was suspended 80 games Sunday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Martinez tested positive for Clomiphene, a drug that is commonly used in fertility medicine, per the Mayo Clinic. In a statement, the 22-year-old revealed he and his girlfriend have been trying to start a family, and her prescription contained the banned substance.
The Major League Baseball Players Association issued the following statement on behalf of Orelvis Martinez: pic.twitter.com/67MIRF4T2k
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 23, 2024
“We wanted to keep this matter private, even within our family, and trusted the doctor who assured us this treatment did not include performance-enhancing drugs,” Martinez wrote. “Therefore, I made the mistake of not disclosing this to my team or the MLBPA. With that said, I took full responsibility for my actions and accepted my suspension.”
Martinez’s suspension is costly for the Blue Jays (35-41). He was called up this week after star shortstop Bo Bichette was placed on the 10-day injured list with a calf injury. In his major league debut against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, the infielder flashed promise, going 1-for-3.
Before the start of the season, CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson rated him as the third-best prospect in Toronto’s farm system. In 63 games with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he hit 16 home runs and posted an .866 OPS.
“We were both surprised and disappointed to learn of Orelvis Martinez’s suspension,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said, via MLB.com. “We will do everything in our power to ensure Orelvis has learned from this mistake. Orelvis has our support, and we know he will get through this.”
With Martinez out of the lineup, Anderson suggested the Blue Jays will likely rely on Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Spencer Horwitz. They could also move third baseman Ernie Clement to second.
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