Toronto Blue Jays star infielder Orelvis Martínez has been suspended for 80 games without pay after violating Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The suspension was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The 22-year-old Martínez had just been called up from Triple-A Buffalo for his Major League debut on Friday. Hitting second, he went 1-for-3 in Toronto’s 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martinez has been suspended for 80 games for violating the MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Martinez, 22, is Toronto’s top player and made his big league debut on Friday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 23, 2024
Martínez tested positive for Clomiphene, a fertility drug that is on the MLB’s banned substances list, according to Passan. In a statement released by the MLB Players Association, Martínez said he is trying to start a family with his girlfriend and has been prescribed a drug containing Clomiphene at a fertility clinic in the Dominican Republic.
“We wanted to keep this matter private, even within our family, and relied on the doctor who assured us that this treatment did not include performance-enhancing drugs,” Martínez said in the statement. “That’s why I made the mistake of not disclosing this to my team or the MLBPA.”
“We were both surprised and disappointed to learn of Orelvis Martínez’s suspension,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement. “We will do everything we can to ensure that Orelvis has learned from this mistake. Orelvis has our support and we know he will get through this.”
With Toronto having played 76 games so far this season, Martínez will be eligible to return from his suspension in the final week of the schedule. At 35-41, the Blue Jays are currently last in the AL East, 15 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees.
In 63 games with Buffalo, Martínez hit .260 with an .867 OPS, 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 46 RBI. He signed with Toronto as an international free agent in 2018. MLB.com ranked Martínez as the best player in the Blue Jays organization. During his five seasons, he has compiled a .242 average and an OPS of .833 with 109 home runs and 335 RBI.
“I took full responsibility for my negligence and accepted my suspension,” Martínez added. “I would like to apologize to my teammates in both Buffalo and Toronto, the Blue Jays organization and, most importantly, the fans who have supported me throughout my career.”
