ST. LOUIS — Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star outfielder Starling Marte was suspended 80 games Tuesday by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Marte tested positive for the steroid Nandrolone. He will be eligible to return in mid-July.
Marte was an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2016 and moved from left field to center field in the offseason after winning his second Gold Glove. Marte, a 28-year-old from the Dominican Republic, is hitting .241 with two home runs and seven RBI this season.
Marte said in a statement that “neglect and lack of knowledge led to this mistake.”
“With much embarrassment and helplessness, I ask for forgiveness for unintentionally disrespecting so many people who have trusted in my work and have supported me so much,” he said. “I promise to learn the lesson that this ordeal has left me.”
GIANTS: Manager Bruce Bochy underwent a minor heart procedure in San Diego, forcing him to miss the team’s two-game series against the Royals.
Bochy, who has a history of heart issues, had complained of discomfort in recent days. He told bench coach Ron Wotus on Sunday night that he was planning to go in for an exam Monday, and wound up having a procedure called an ablation to fix a heart rhythm problem.
Bochy, 62, is resting at home and expects to rejoin the club Friday in Colorado. In a text message to The Associated Press he said: “All good. … Ready to roll.”
PHILLIES: Right-hander Clay Buchholz had surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right forearm and could miss the rest of the season.
Buchholz, 32, was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to April 15 prior to the club’s series opener against the New York Mets. Buchholz faces an estimated recovery time of 4 to 6 months.
“Probably out for the season, obviously,” Manager Pete Mackanin said. “It’s too bad but fortunately we’ve got pretty good inventory at Triple-A.”
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