Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Starling Marte has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for PEDs.
In 13 games for the Bucs this season, Marte hit .241 with 2 HR and 7 RBI. In 2016, Marte was named to his first NL All-Star Team and won his second career Gold Glove. Earlier this year, Marte was part of Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. This is his sixth season with the Pirates. Marte would be eligible to return July 18th, a week after the All-Star Game. Should the Bucs make the post-season, Marte would not be eligible to play.
Of course, finding a player to fill Marte's spot will be easier said than done. With 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen's stats declining, Marte was expected to step up this season. He still can, but there will be a cloud that follows him. In the meantime, the Pirates will probably move McCutchen back to center and, for the time being, have the triumvirate of John Jaso, Josh Harrison and Adam Frazier play right field unless they decide to pick up someone outside of the organization. Absent Marte's bat and glove, the Pirates have a tall task in a NL Central division which includes the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs and an improved Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers clubs.
Should Marte test positive again, the suspension is a full season. A third suspension would result in a lifetime banishment from MLB. Former New York Mets closer Jennry Mejia would suffer this fate. Given the high risks involved one wonders why MLB players are still willing to risk it. Because with high risks come high rewards. In the grand scheme of things there are only 750 spots on MLB rosters and it doesn't take much to lose that spot. I'm sure Marte didn't think he would get caught or thought he was using chemicals that would mask a positive test.
The bottom line is this has not been a so sterling moment for Starling Marte.
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