Minnesota Twins pitcher Michael Pineda suspended 60 games for PEDs
The Minnesota Twins are gearing up for a postseason run, but will have to prepare for it without one of their best starting pitchers.
Michael Pineda received a 60-game suspension after he tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that is outlawed under Major League Baseball's Drug and Prevention Program, the league announced Saturday. He will miss the remainder of the regular season and will not be eligible for the postseason.
Pineda issued a statement through the MLBPA and apologized to the Twins and his teammates. He claimed he ingested the Hydrochlorothiazide from an over-the-counter medication that a close acquaintance gave him and said would help him manage his weight. Pineda added that he took the pills without the consent of the Twins training staff.
"I never intended to cheat the system, other players, or opposing teams," he said in the statement. "While I am pleased that arbitrator found there was clear and convincing evidence to reduce my discipline, I realize that I am ultimately responsible for what goes in my body and therefore respect the 60-game suspension that remains. I hope that I can be an example to others about how important it is to check with experts before taking any substance from an outside source."
Suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs normally carry a punishment of 80 games.
"We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Michael Pineda for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the Twins said in a statement. "We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate banned substances from our game."
Pineda was 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.16 WHIP this season, his first with the Twins. Minnesota owned a 5.5-game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central entering play Saturday.