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Major League Baseball on Monday announced performance-enhancing drug-related suspensions for three free agents: right-handed pitcher Richard Rodríguez and infielders Danny Santana and José Rondón. Each of the three was banned for 80 games after testing positive for the substance boldenone, “an anabolic androgenic steroid and synthetic derivative of testosterone originally developed for veterinary use but has since become one of the more common performance-enhancing drugs , the athletes test positive for the sport,” according to the US Anti-Doping Agency.
Rodríguez, 32, split last season between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves. Overall, he amassed a 2.94 ERA (148 ERA+) and a 4.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Unfortunately for Rodríguez, his performance took a hit in other ways after a midseason move to Atlanta. In 26 innings with the eventual World Series Champion, he hit just 3.1 batters per nine. It’s worth noting that Rodríguez’s relegation coincided, albeit coincidentally, with MLB’s crackdown on grip enhancers.
Santana, 31, spent last year with the Boston Red Sox. He appeared in 38 games and hit a .181/.252/.345 (57 OPS+) slash line with five home runs and four steals. A versatile defenseman, Santana has had limited success during his major league career, posting an OPS+ over 100 on two occasions: in 2013, his rookie year, and then again in 2019 when he was an above-average player for the Texas Rangers .
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Rondón, 28, was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. He hit 90 plate appearances in 63 games and hit .263/.322/.413 (104 OPS+) with three homers and two stolen bases. Rondón had previously appeared in games with the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles.