Major League Baseball has suspended Houston Astros pitcher Francis Martes for 162 games.
Astros pitcher Francis Martes has been suspended 162 games without pay for testing positive for Boldenone. It is his second drug suspension in two years.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 17, 2020
The suspension is his second for Performance enhancing drugs. He was suspended for 80 games last spring for the same thing, just a different illegal substance.
Martes has not taken the mound since 2017. He missed the entire 2018 season after having Tommy John surgery.
The 21-year-old right-hander started 32 games in 2017, posting a 5-2 record and a 5.80 ERA.
He was hoping to earn a spot in the starting pitching rotation. Joining Justin Verlander, Zach Grienke, Jose Urquidy, and Lance McCullers Jr., who himself is returning from Tommy John surgery.
This is the latest domino to fall in an offseason the Astros would like to forget, while nobody can or should. Their elaborate sign-stealing controversy investigation was completed and the punishments were handed down. Their general manager and manager were suspended and subsequently fired. Although its widely debated that players should be punished, although commissioner Rob Manfred has stated they would not. Just last week new Astros manager Dusty Baker made a claim that Major League Baseball protects his players from retaliation.
It will remain to be seen what Martes can bring to the Astros’ staff until 2021 at the very least.
