Blue Jays rookie Orelvis Martinez suspended 80 games for doping violation

Martinez, 22, made his Blue Jays debut Friday with one hit in three appearances in a 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Outfielder Steward Berroa was named to Toronto’s major league roster on Sunday morning to replace Martinez, who was officially placed on the team’s restricted list ahead of the series finale in Cleveland.

Martinez was widely considered one of the top 100 prospects in baseball, with Baseball America ranking him 90th, MLB 89th, and Baseball Prospectus 95th before the season.

That season, he hit .260 with a .343 on-base percentage, and in 63 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he had 16 home runs and 46 runs batted in.

In a statement Sunday, Martinez said he unknowingly took the banned substance while he and his girlfriend were trying to resolve fertility issues after visiting a doctor in his native Dominican Republic.

“We wanted to keep this a secret, even from our family, and we trusted the doctor who assured us that no performance-enhancing drugs were used in the treatment,” he said. “Therefore, I made the mistake of not disclosing this to my team or the MLBPA.

“That said, I have taken full responsibility for my actions and have accepted the suspension.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 23, 2024.

Canadian Press

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Orelvis Martinez has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball. Martinez is thrown out of the bullpen during the eighth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Guardiansin ClevelandFriday, June 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Sue Ogrocki

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