Minnesota star Ervin Santana banned for 80 games over banned substance
Friday 3 April 2015 22:39, UK
Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana has been suspended for 80 games without pay after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance - just a few months after joining them in a $54m (£36m) deal.
The Dominican, who joined the Twins in December, was found to have taken Stanozolol.
Santana will miss the first 80 games of the 162-game 2015 season.
The 32-year-old had agreed the four-year deal with the Twins as a free agent during the offseason.
In a statement, Santana insisted he did not know how the substance got into his system.
"I preach hard work, and don't believe in short cuts," he said. "I am 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.”
Santana, who has played in the MLB for ten years, was 14-10 with a 3.95 earned run average last season with the Atlanta Braves.
