Another Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder Suspended 80 Games for PED Use

MLB has announced that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has been suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a PED.

Phillies OF Johan Rojas has been suspended 80 games without pay for testing positive for a banned substance, MLB announced. pic.twitter.com/GDPU98rp7u
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 16, 2026

The word first emerged just before the World Baseball Classic began, leaving him ineligible to play in the event for the Dominican Republic team. He filed an appeal of the finding, and the next day, he came back to the Phillies camp while awaiting his official fate from MLB, and made a spectacular catch on the very first pitch of the Grapefruit League game.

Johan Rojas has re-joined the Phillies and he made an incredible catch on the first pitch of the game
pic.twitter.com/6s7iwmWpfy
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 4, 2026

Rojas got into 71 games last year for the Phillies, and was a bench candidate for this season. He was basically their only right-handed center field depth, and stood a pretty good chance to make the team. Those dreams have been dashed.

Rojas stole 12 bases for the Phils last year, while batting .229 in 172 plate appearances.

This whole PED thing is getting to be an epidemic for the Phillies. Rojas is the third player from the team to be hit with a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in less than a year.

Closer Jose Alvarado, you'll recall, was banned for 80 games after a positive test—he was out from May through August—and outfielder Max Kepler was handed the same suspension in early January. He, however, does not have a contract for the 2026 season. The 33-year-old can serve his suspension while he's a free agent. He will receive credit against his 80-game penalty through games played by the Phillies. If he does sign a contract, he will not be paid during the suspension. Kepler will also not be eligible to play in the 2026 postseason for any team that he signs with.