MLB star Robinson Cano suspended for 80 games, releases statement
When All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano signed a monstrous 10-year, $240 million free agent contract to leave the New York Yankees for the Seattle Mariners, expectations were high.
After all, Cano was an all-around star for the Yankees. During his nine-year run in New York, he earned five All-Star berths, five Silver Slugger awards, two Gold Gloves and a World Series ring.
To put it mildly, Cano hasn’t lived up to his contract with the Mariners.
While he has earned another three All-Star nominations in Seattle, the Mariners are still in the midst of the longest active postseason drought in North American sports.
Seattle has played well this season — it’s 23-17 heading into Tuesday night’s game against Texas — but being in the same division as the defending champion Astros and powerful Angels makes for tough playoff odds.
Unfortunately for Mariners fans, those odds just got longer.
MLB announced Tuesday that Cano has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for the banned substance furosemide.
The diuretic, also known as Lasix, is often used to help mask other banned substances in urine tests.
ESPN reported that a “source familiar with the case” said the second baseman tested positive before the season and appealed. “During the appeal, MLB apparently was able to determine his intent, resulting in Cano dropping his appeal,” the report said.
Cano issued a statement claiming he had received furosemide from a doctor in his native Dominican Republic for an unspecified “medical ailment.”
“Recently I learned that I tested positive for a substance called furosemide, which is not a performance-enhancing substance,” he said via the MLB Players Association. “Furosemide is used to treat various medical conditions in the United States and the Dominican Republic. This substance was given to me by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic to treat a medical ailment. While I did not realize at the time that I was given a medication that was banned, I obviously now wish that I had been more careful.
“For more than 15 years, playing professional baseball has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life. I would never do anything to cheat the rules of the game that I love, and after undergoing dozens of drug tests over more than a decade, I have never tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the simple reason that I have never taken one.”
Unfortunately for him, fans have heard similar words from countless other athletes after they were caught taking banned substances.
No one believes you, Robbie.
— Tim How (@thow15) May 15, 2018
I really wish you MLB cheats wouldn't lie. Just tell me the truth that you are cheating and be done with it.
— Frankie Satterfield (@Rdsknsfan3) May 15, 2018
I’m so sick of hearing about this. MLB does everything possible to empower the players to make sure ANYTHING they put in their bodies is banned or not. This is 100% the fault of the player. It’s considered a PED even if YOU don’t think it is. Take responsibility for cheating…
— Broc (@Broctimus_Prime) May 15, 2018
everyone is always sorry when they get caught
— Chris (@ChrisDoval1) May 15, 2018
Lies. pic.twitter.com/UAE2Zc1KdR
— salajander 🛩️ (@salajander) May 15, 2018
Unlike many fans, the Mariners accepted Cano’s explanation.
“Robinson made a mistake,” the team said in a statement. “He has explained to us what happened, accepted the punishment and has apologized to the fans, the organization and his teammates. We will support Robinson as he works through this challenge.”
We have issued the following statement on today’s announcement by Major League Baseball that second baseman Robinson Canó has been suspended for 80 games for a violation of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program: pic.twitter.com/VNEPgahIRS
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 15, 2018
Cano is hitting .287 on the year with just four home runs.
In the unlikely event that the Mariners end their postseason drought this year, he will not be eligible to play.
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