Alexei Ramírez, Provisionally Suspended for Doping in the World Baseball Classic
Lausanne, Switzerland – Former Major League player Alexei Ramírez has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substances during the recent World Baseball Classic. This was reported by anti-doping authorities.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) reported that the 44-year-old former Cuban shortstop tested positive for metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone, and stanozolol. These substances are anabolic steroids linked to increased physical performance.
Ramírez, who participated in the tournament held in March, made history by becoming the oldest player to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Following the official notification, the former player was provisionally suspended while the disciplinary process unfolds.
During his career in the Major Leagues, Ramírez played primarily with the Chicago White Sox, in addition to having stints with the San Diego Padres and the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2008, he finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, an award won by Evan Longoria.
Before his MLB stage, the infielder was an Olympic champion with Cuba at the 2004 Athens Olympics and also was part of the team that won the silver medal at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
The ITA explained that the detected substances are associated with increased muscle mass, strength, and performance, which constitutes a violation of anti-doping rules. The organization indicated that the sample was taken during the competition, in which the Cuban national team failed to advance past the group stage.
In his Major League career, Ramírez accumulated 115 home runs and 590 RBIs before retiring in 2016.
