Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martinez received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing substance Clomiphene, Major League Baseball announced on Sunday.
Martinez, the team’s No. 2 prospect and the No. 68 prospect overall according to MLB Pipeline, made his Major League debut in Friday night’s 7-1 loss to Cleveland, collecting a single in three at-bats to notch his first MLB hit. He did not play on Saturday.
“The Blue Jays fully support Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, and strongly believe in keeping the game on a level playing field,” Blue Jays EVP & general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement. “We were both surprised and disappointed to learn of Orelvis Martinez’s suspension. 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.”
Martinez, signed as an international free agent in 2018, hit .260 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs with Triple-A Buffalo before being called up.
Martinez said in a statement that he had been prescribed a fertility drug by a doctor in the Dominican Republic during the offseason that resulted in the positive test.
“… I took full responsibility for my actions and accepted my suspension,” Martinez said. “I want to apologize to my teammates in both Buffalo and Toronto, the Blue Jays organization, and most importantly, the fans who have supported me during my career.”
Add comment