Former All-Star Pitcher Hit With 80-Game Suspension

It's been a precipitous fall from the grace the last two years for former two-time All-Star pitcher Carlos Martinez. He was recently released for the 2nd time since the beginning of the season, and now has been slapped by MLB with an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

Former All-Star Martínez gets 80-game drug ban: Carlos Martínez, who pitched for the Cardinals from 2013 to 2021 and was released by the Giants and Red Sox this season after becoming a free agent, was suspended 80 games after a positive test for… https://t.co/4Q5YIpavmF pic.twitter.com/LVL5sb4ztz
— JPDAILYSPORTS (@JCPGATA) May 27, 2022

The 30-year-old right-hander tested positive for Ibutamoren, which increases Human Growth Hormone.

After the St. Louis Cardinals decided not to bring him back after a dreadful 2020 and 2021, he signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants before this season, was released by them in April, and then signed another minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. But they, too, released him earlier this month.

With the BoSox Triple-A affiliate, he struggled to a 20.77 ERA, surrendering 10 earned runs, 9 hits and 3 walks in just 4.1 innings. Last season, he had a 6.23 ERA in 16 starts with the Cards.

His 80-game suspension will only start once (if?) he signs with another major league organization.

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports