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MPR News Staff

Twins pitcher Santana suspended 80 games for steroids

Ervin Santana
Minnesota Twins' Ervin Santana throws batting practice at baseball spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., Tuesday March 3, 2015.
Tony Gutierrez | AP

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Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana has been suspended for 80 games without pay after testing positive for steroids.

Santana tested positive for Stanozolol, a synthetic anabolic steroid, Major League Baseball said in statement Friday.

In a statement, Santana said he was "very disappointed that I tested positive for a performance enhancing drug. I am frustrated that I can't pinpoint how the substance in question entered my body. I would never knowingly take anything illegal to enhance my performance."

The stunning announcement leaves a giant hole in the Twins lineup for the regular season, which starts on Monday.

Santana, 32, was a crucial off-season pickup for the Twins and was expected to play a major role in the pitching rotation. He signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the team, the richest free-agent deal in club history, according to MLB.

"We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing substances from our game," the Twins said in a statement. "Per the protocol outlined in the Joint Drug Program, the Minnesota Twins will not comment further on this matter."