Major League Baseball suspended Ramon Laureano, an Oakland Athletics outfielder, for 80 games without pay on Friday. He had tested positive for an anabolic steroid.MLB said Laureano, a 27-year-old who is in his fourth season with the A's, tested positive for nandrolone, a performance-enhancing drug. The suspension takes effect immediately.Laureano stated that he did not know he had taken the banned substance, in a statement released to the players' association. He also said that he was shocked to learn of the positive test.In the statement, he stated that he had worked too hard and given so much to the sport that he could not disrespect or cheat the game a lot. I would never dishonor my teammates, coaches, family or any other person, nor do anything to degrade the many young players who look up to me."I am very careful about my health and follow a strict diet. Based on the small amount of contamination that was found in my body, it seems likely that it was from something I ingested."I was educated about PEDs by the RBI program and Baseball Factory as a child. To be a successful player on the baseball field, I don't require any of this. My dedication, hard work and focus have been the key to my athletic success.Just over four hours before the Texas Rangers began their weekend home series against Texas A's, the penalty was handed down."The suspension was disappointing for the A's. The A's stated that they fully support MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and Ramn will be allowed to return after discipline has been served.Starling Marte was a fellow A's outfielder who was traded to Oakland July 28. He was then suspended 80 games by MLB after testing positive for the same substance while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017.Laureano has a batting average of.246 and has hit 14 homers and 39 RBIs this season. To save runs, Laureano has made many highlight-reel throws in center field.Oakland is currently in second place in the division race behind rival Houston Astros."I would like to apologize for any distraction this may cause my teammates, Billy Beane and David Forst and the entire Oakland community, community and fan base," Laureano stated. "I am devastated. "I am devastated. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love the game. I wouldn't do it in my power to cause such pain."This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
