After Top Blue Jays Prospect Orelvis Martinez Is Suspended For Violating PED Policy, What Does It Mean For The Team?

Toronto Blue Jays IF Orelvis Martinez has been suspended by the MLB for 80 games after testing positive for Clomiphene, a performance-enhancing drug.

Martinez’s weekend started as a dream before turning into a nightmare. The Blue Jays called him up from Triple-A, and he recorded his first hit in the MLB. Two days later, the sentence came down, and he was banned for 80 games, as his suspension reached September.

On behalf of the MLBPA, the Dominican infielder released a statement:

“For the past two years, I have been trying to start a family with my girlfriend. During the offseason, we visited a fertility clinic in the Dominican Republic, and after getting lab work done, we were prescribed a treatment, which included a medication called Rejun 50. Unfortunately, Rejun 50 contains a banned substance called Clomiphene.”

Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins delivered a statement as well:

“We were both surprised and disappointed to learn of Orelvis Martinez’s suspension. We will do everything in our power to ensure Orelvis has learned from his mistake.”

He decided to accept his suspension and not appeal.

The difficult season for the Blue Jays continues. Coming into this season, Canada’s team believed they could make a deep run in the postseason with their talented lineup and deep pitching staff. They sit last in the AL East and six games under .500 with a 37-43 record. They are 3-7 in their last ten games, making some analysts believe they will sell at the trade deadline in a month.

Martinez hit .260 with 14 HRs and 46 RBIs during his stint this season in Triple-A. Starting SS Bo Bichette’s short stint on the injured list opened a spot for the 22-year-old to make his major league debut.

The Blue Jays signed Martinez in 2018 for $3.5 million as part of their international pool money at age 16.