Twins pitcher Santana suspended 80 games for steroids
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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."
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