Major League Baseball has handed out 80 games ban to Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo on Thursday. The league announced that Castillo used erythropoietin (EPO), a performance-enhancing substance, thus violating the league’s joint drug agreement.
This is the second lengthy suspension MLB has issued in May. The league previously suspended Seattle Mariners’ second baseman Robinson Cano for 80 games as well. Cano tested positive for furosemide, which isn’t a performance-enhancing drug, but it is still on MLB’s banned-substance list.
Welington Castillo issued a statement following the announcement, accepting his suspension and issuing an apology.
“I was recently notified by Major League Baseball that I had tested positive for EPO, a substance that is prohibited under MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement,” – said Castillo in a statement. “The positive test resulted from an extremely poor decision that I, and I alone, made. I take full responsibility for my conduct. I have let many people down, including my family, my teammates, the White Sox organization and its fans, and from my heart, I apologize. Following my suspension, I look forward to rejoining my teammates and doing whatever I can to help the White Sox win.“
Welington Castillo joined the Chicago White Sox in December 2017 and took part in 33 games during the 2018 season. He posted .270 batting average during that time to go alongside 6 home runs and 15 RBIs.
“The Chicago White Sox were saddened and disappointed to learn of the suspension of catcher Welington Castillo for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” – said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn following Castillo’s suspension. “Welington has apologized to the team and his teammates and has taken full responsibility for his actions. He understands that he has negatively affected the team and has fallen short of the expectations we have of our players. The White Sox fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing substances from our game.“
