Cano suspended 80 games for PED violaion

Associated Press

SEATTLE

Seattle already knew Robinson Cano would be out of the Mariners lineup for several weeks, the result of a broken bone in his right hand.

His absence will be significantly longer.

The All-Star second baseman was suspended for 80 games on Tuesday for violating baseball’s drug agreement, becoming among the most prominent players disciplined under the sport’s anti-doping rules.

Major League Baseball’s announcement was a stunning development for a middle-of-the-lineup stalwart and a club expected to contend for a postseason spot. Cano tested positive for Furosemide, a diuretic that can be used to mask performance-enhancing drugs.

In a statement released through the players’ association, Cano said, “This substance was given to me by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic to treat a medical ailment.” He said he did not realize it was banned.

“For more than fifteen years, playing professional baseball has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life,” Cano said. “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,” Cano said in the statement issued by the players’ association.

“Today I decided to accept MLB’s suspension. This was the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life, but ultimately the right decision given that I do not dispute that I was given this substance. I apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates and the Mariners organization.”