Michael Chavis, right, celebrates with Rafael Devers after scoring in a game at Hadlock Field in July 2017. Chavis – the top prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization – has been suspended for 80 days because of a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.
Portland Sea Dogs third baseman Michael Chavis – the top prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization – has been suspended for 80 days because of a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday.
Chavis, 22, was the Red Sox first-round draft in 2014. He had started the 2018 season on the Sea Dogs’ disabled list because of an oblique muscle strain suffered in spring training.
Michael Chavis statement
Last year, Chavis joined the Sea Dogs midseason and hit 14 home runs in 67 games. It was part of a breakout year in which Chavis hit a combined .282 with 31 home runs in Class A and Double-A. He was expected to play in major league spring training games, until his injury.
Chavis will be ineligible to play until the end of June. He tested positive for the drug Dehydrochlomethyltestosterone, according to the commissioner’s office.
“I would never, and have never, purposely taken any prohibitive substance in my life,” Chavis said in a statement via his Twitter account.
“Over the past several months, I have been searching for an answer as to how a prohibitive substance I never heard of, DHMCT, was detected in my urine during the off-season. … This entire situation has left me with feelings ranging from anger, fear, frustration, sadness and complete (despair).
“I am faced with the battle of my life to win back fans and teammates that will be disappointed by this news.”
The Red Sox also responded to MLB’s announcement with a release: “The Boston Red Sox fully support Major League Baseball and the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. While we are disappointed by the news of this violation, we will look to provide the appropriate support to Michael. Going forward, the club will not comment further on the matter.”
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