Another major league athlete is facing a multiple-game suspension after being found using a performance enhancing drug.
Ji-Man Choi, the first baseman for the Seattle Mariners, has been handed a 50-game suspension notice after his urine sample tested positive for methandienone, MLB.com reports. Methandienone is a controlled substance that is commonly used by bodybuilders to boost stamina and allow them to gain more endurance through a routine or an entire series of gameplay.
Such drugs are never allowed for professional sports and those proven to have used them are sanctioned under the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program of the MLB. The guidelines state that athletes found to have used PEDs will be slappedd an 80-game suspension. In the past, New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez and Rays pitcher Alex Colome faced similar reprimands.
Choi is 22 years old, hitting .394. He has had one home run and five RBIs. In an article by ESPN, he said, "A banned substance was detected in my urine sample. I do not know what I could have taken that caused me to test positive. However, I also understand that without an explanation I must serve a suspension and I accept that."
He denies to have ever used any illegal substance to enhance his performance and says he looks forward to putting everything behind him while serving the suspension to return to Mariners ballclub and help the team in any way he can.
MLB.com said the suspension will take effect immediately.
The Seattle Mariners also shared that the team was not happy with the suspension. It stated, "The Seattle Mariners are disappointed to learn of today's suspension of AAA infielder Ji-man Choi. The organization fully supports Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing substances from our game. Per the Basic Agreement, the Mariners will have no further comment."
An article on SB Nation shows that Choi has played four years with the Mariners Minor League system. His suspension will not cause a major setback for the team, although there is a possibility for him to play in the big league if he continues hitting well when he returns.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
