Breaking: Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For PEDs

In a shocking development, Fernando Tatis Jr. has been suspended by major league baseball for 80 games for violating the league's drug policy, and he will start to serve his suspension immediately, just days away from what was supposed to be his long-awaited return. 

MLB announced that Fernando Tatis Jr. has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Tatis' suspension is effective immediately.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 12, 2022

Tatis has accepted his suspension, and issued a statement, stating that the drug in question was, unbeknownst to him, contained in a medication "to treat ringworm." He is "completely devastated" and claims that it was his mistake for not ensuring the medication he was taking was free of any banned substances.

Statement from Fernando Tatis Jr., released by the MLBPA: pic.twitter.com/NNzFbaKT85

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 12, 2022

The suspension will cover the rest of the regular season, and continue into next season. He is ineligible for the playoffs. The Padres currently have a tenuous one-game hold on the final Wild Card berth. 

This is a brutal blow to the team, who were looking to make a big playoff run with Tatis joining their blockbuster deadline acquisition of Juan Soto, along with Manny Machado, to form baseball's version of a 'Big 3'. 

Now, it will have to wait until May of 2023.  

Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports