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San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Tatis has not played all season after breaking a wrist in a motorcycle accident in December.
The San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. reacts after hitting a grand slam against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York June 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The 23-year-old is rehabbing his way back from the injury.
Tatis said he "inadvertently" took a medication that contained Clostebol, a banned substance.
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"I should have used the resources available to me in order to ensure that no banned substances were in what I took. I failed to do so," he said in a statement.
Tatis said he initially appealed the suspension, but "I have realized that my mistake was the cause of this result, and for that reason I have decided to start serving my suspension immediately.
"I have no excuse for my error, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game I love," he added.
Fernando Tatis flips his bat after hitting a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics in San Diego July 27, 2021. (AP)
"I think we're hoping that, from the offseason to now, that there would be some maturity," Padres general manager AJ Preller said, via The Athletic. "And, obviously with the news today, it's more of a pattern and something we've got to dig a little bit more into. I'm sure he's very disappointed. But, at the end of the day, it's one thing to say it. You have to start by showing it with your actions."
Tatis signed a 13-year, $340 million deal before the 2021 season that was the third most lucrative deal in MLB history at the time. Francisco Lindor surpassed him by $1 million before the season started.
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The Padres extended Tatis after he had played in just 143 games, but his numbers certainly look like they're worth it. Once touted as the best prospect in baseball, he owns a .292/.369/.596 slash line in 273 career games. Tatis was named an All-Star in 2021 for the first time and finished in third place in the NL MVP voting.
Tatis watches a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Wade Miley in San Diego June 17, 2021. (Derrick Tuskan)
He has two Silver Slugger awards and also finished in fourth place for the NL MVP during the abbreviated 2020 season.
The Padres have surrounded Tatis with lots of high-priced talent, most recently at the trade deadline.
San Diego acquired Juan Soto, Josh Bell, Josh Hader and Brandon Drury at the deadline.
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The suspension means Tatis will miss the remainder of this season, as well as a portion of the 2023 season. He also will miss the 2022 postseason.
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