Fernando Tatis Jr., a star shortstop for the Padres, was suspended for 80 games

The star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, dealing a severe blow to the San Diego Padres’ championship hopes.

Tatis will lose the first 32 games of the following season as a result of the ban, which MLB announced on Friday night.

The Padres said in a statement on Friday that they were “We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn today that Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and subsequently received an 80-game suspension without pay”. “We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Fernando will learn from this experience,” says the statement.

Tatis, who has missed 114 of the Padres’ first games due to a wrist injury, had just begun a minor league rehab assignment and had appeared to be on the verge of returning to the starting lineup. Tatis finished third in the voting for the National League Most Valuable Player in 2021 despite hitting a league-high 42 home runs and earning 97 RBIs.

According to the MLB press release, Tatis tested positive for the steroid Clostebol.

The MLB Players Association issued a statement on Tatis’ behalf after his suspension was made public.

Tatis stated, “It turns out that I inadvertently took a medication to treat ringworm that contained Clostebol.” “I should have used the resources available to me in order to ensure that no banned substances were in what I took. I failed to do so.”

Tatis called what he did “my mistake” in a message he sent to the Padres organisation, the league, and the fans.

“I have no excuse for my error, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love,” Tatis said.

“I have taken countless drug tests throughout my professional career, including on March 29, 2022, all of which have returned negative results until this test.

“I am completely devastated. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than on the field competing with my teammates. After initially appealing the suspension, I have realized that my mistake was the cause of this result, and for that reason I have decided to start serving my suspension immediately. I look forward to rejoining my teammates on the field in 2023.”

Tatis reportedly agreed to a $340 million, 14-year deal in 2021.