Suspended for Doping: Eric Veras Receives 56-Game Sanction
Santo Domingo. The young Dominican pitcher Eric Veras, at just 18 years old, has been suspended for 56 games due to a violation of the Major League Baseball (MLB) minor league drug program. The news was announced this Friday by the commissioner’s office.
You see, a Colorado Rockies prospect, tested positive for boldenone, a banned anabolic steroid. The test was conducted within the program for players who develop outside the United States and Canada. MLB has not provided details on the exact date of the test or whether the player appealed the result.
This suspension occurs at a time when the left-hander was beginning to show promising performance in the development system. In the current season, Veras had made five starts, with a 2-0 record and an ERA of 3.97. He signed with the Rockies in January 2024 for a bonus of $125,000 and last year finished with a 3-1 record and a 3.80 ERA in 10 starts.
This sanction marks the player as the ninth player suspended for doping so far in 2025, and the seventh in the minor league system.
The boldenone, a substance found in Veras’ sample, is known for its effects on increasing muscle mass and endurance. Its use is prohibited in professional sports due to its side effects and competitive advantages.
The Veras case highlights the importance of anti-doping control in the minor leagues, where surveillance and education systems are less rigorous than in the Major Leagues. For the Rockies, the suspension represents a significant loss in their group of young talents, and for Veras, a hard blow in his professional development.
Only time will tell if this setback will permanently mark his career, or if it will serve as a lesson for a pitcher who, until now, showed a promising future.
