MLB Suspends Minnesota Twins’ Ervin Santana 80 Games For PEDs

What was likely going to be a tough season for the Minnesota Twins just got tougher, as Major League Baseball has suspended Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana for the first half of the upcoming season as the result of a positive 'performance enhancing drug' test.

Santana signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the Twins during the offseason, and was expected to be the number-two starter for Minnesota this summer.

Santana issued the following statement:

This is unexpected news for me and my family," Santana's statement read. "I am issuing this statement so the public knows where I stand. First, my deepest apologies to my family, fans, colleagues, teammates and my current employer, the Minnesota Twins. I am very disappointed that I tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. I am frustrated that I can't pinpoint how the substance in question entered my body. I would never knowingly take anything illegal to enhance my performance. What I can guarantee is I never knowingly took anything illegal to enhance my performance. That's just not me, never has been and never will.

The Twins organization expressed disappointment:

We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Ervin Santana for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the Twins said in a statement. "We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing substances from our game. Per the protocol outlined in the Joint Drug Program, the Minnesota Twins will not comment further on this matter.

With Santana out, right-hander Mike Pelfrey will take the veteran's spot in the rotation after losing out to left-hander Tommy Milone in the competition to serve as the club's fifth starter. To replace Santana on the active roster, the Twins recalled left-handed reliever Aaron Thompson from Triple-A Rochester.

The Twins open the season Monday afternoon in Detroit. Phil Hughes is scheduled to get the start.

Go Twins!