Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended for 80 Games After Testing Positive for Performance Enhancer

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty

Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres has been suspended for 80 games after being tested positive for a performing-enhancing substance.

“We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn today that Fernando Tatis Jr. tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and subsequently received an 80-game suspension without pay,” the Padres said in a statement, perMLB.com. “We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Fernando will learn from this experience.”

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The Padres did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Tatis has been on a rehabilitation program in a minor league recently after being involved in a motorcycle crash last year, resulting in him suffering from a broken left wrist. He underwent a procedure in March as part of the treatment, perESPN.

In response to the suspension, the MLB Players Association released a statement viaTwitteron behalf of Tatis, including his apology for his action.

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“I should have used the resources available to me in order to ensure that no banned substances were in what I took. I failed to do so,” the statement continued. “I want to apologize to Peter [Seidler], A.J. [Preller], the entire Padres organization, my teammates, Major League Baseball, and fans everywhere for my mistake.”

“I have no excuse for my error, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love,” Tatis explained in the statement. “I have taken countless drug tests throughout my professional career, including on March 29, 2022, all of which have returned negative results until this test.”

Noting that he is “completely devastated,” Tatis added in the statement that “There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than on the field competing with my teammates.”

“After initially appealing the suspension, I have realized that my mistake was the cause of this result, and for that reason, I have decided to start serving my suspension immediately,” he concluded. “I look forward to rejoining my teammates on the field in 2023.”

source: people.com