Three Players Suspended For PED Use

There's no drug testing allowed on major league players during the lockout, but that hasn't stopped three minor league players from being suspended for extended periods for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Three @MiLB players have been suspended without pay following their violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. pic.twitter.com/jQ7A5nukzC
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) March 4, 2022

Seattle Mariners pitcher Bernie Martinez received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a PED. The 25-year-old plays for the Mariners' High-A affiliate the Everett Aqua Sox. Martinez started the year in Triple-A last season, but regressed throughout the season, and finished in A-ball. He had an overall ERA of 7.31.

Fellow Mariners' minor leaguer Luis Baez, a 21-year-old pitcher with the team's rookie league affiliate, received a 60-game suspension for testing positive for the drug Stanozolol. He posted a 5.08 ERA and an unsightly 1.87 WHIP in 2021.

San Francisco Giants' pitcher Sonny Vargas, also 21, received 60 games as well for testing positive for Stanozolol. He recorded a 5.33 ERA last season, but had a strong 11.5 K/9. Vargas is a 21-year-old lefthander from Venezuela, and was also a rookie league pitcher.

All players are suspended without pay, and it will take effect at the beginning of their 2022 seasons.

Photo Credit: Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK