Michael Pineda suspended 60 games

Minnesota Twins pitcher Michael Pineda has been suspended 60 games under MLB’s drug testing policy after testing positive for a banned diuretic. Diuretics are not allowed because they increase the production of urine, which dilutes the level of any banned substance in the urine, making it less likely that someone using a banned substance would test positive. Jeff Passan is reporting that the suspension was reduced from 80 games to 60 games on appeal due to a “compelling case” being made that the diuretic wasn’t being used to mask PED use.

Pineda has been the third best starter for a Twins team that has had a very solid and stable rotation this year, with five starters making at least 25 starts at this point. The Twins will lose Pineda for the rest of the year and for the postseason, and whatever team signs Pineda in the offseason will not be able to use him until sometime in May.