Rocio Robles
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Pedro Severino was suspended for 80 games by MLB this morning after testing positive for a banned substance in his latest doping test.
The substance they found in his body is called Clomiphene, a component that increases the level of testosterone in the user’s body; although it is normally used in women to increase ovulation levels to improve fertility.
Pedro Severino’s statements on his suspension
Moments after the sanction was made public, the Dominican gave a statement through the MLB Players Association as a media outlet. He took full responsibility for his punishment and explained the reasons for the positive test.
”Since late 2020, my wife and I have been trying to start a family, without success so far. When we returned to the Dominican Republic after the 2021 season, we sought medical help to determine why we had not yet been able to conceive. One of the doctors I consulted prescribed me a medication to treat fertility problems, which unfortunately I now know contained Clomiphene. I accept full responsibility for my mistake and decided not to appeal my suspension”.
”I have been a professional baseball player since I was 16 years old and have been part of the Major Leagues for seven seasons. I have been tested over 100 times in my career and never had a problem. In my attempt to start a family, I made a mistake”.
Pedro Severino, Milwaukee Brewers catcher, on his suspension due to banned substances.
The 28-year-old veteran had signed a contract for the remainder of the 2022 season with the Brewers before the start of the MLB lockout in December 2021, and would act as the backup catcher to Omar Narvaez, who guards the starting position for Craig Counsell’s team. In his stint with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, he had a .248/.308/.383 batting line with 11 homers, 46 RBIs, 32 runs scored and 18 doubles in 113 games played.
Severino will miss half of the season and will also lose approximately half of his salary ($1,900,000 million) while serving his suspension. The names to replace him within the Brewers have been Brett Sullivan, Mario Feliciano and Jakson Reetz, with the first mentioned being the favorite to fill the position. The Dominican’s suspension is the fourth in the last two days, after Danny Santana, Richard Rodriguez and Jose Rondon were suspended yesterday for also testing positive for banned substances.
