Ramon Laureano suspended

Oakland A’s outfielder Ramon Laureano has been suspended for 80 games for violating MLB‘s PED policy, it was announced today. Laureano tested positive for Nandrolone, a banned substance.

The 27 year old Laureano has a 760 OPS this season and has been the team’s primary center fielder. The looming suspension, which presumably had been handed down some time ago and was abated pending the appeals process, likely influenced the decision of the A’s to acquire Starling Marte at the trade deadline, as Marte now will essentially replace Laureano for the A’s.

Laureano will be suspended the remainder of this season and will finish his suspension in 2022. He will also be ineligible for the playoffs.