Santana suspended 80 games
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (The Spread) – In a situation that rocked the Minnesota Twins’ starting rotation just days before the start of the season, Ervin Santana has been suspended for 80 games without pay.
ESPN.com reports that Santana was suspended after testing positive for stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance banned by Major League Baseball. The suspension is effective for the first 80 games of the regular season and leaves the Twins without a No. 2 starter behind Phil Hughes.
“I preach hard work, and don’t believe in short cuts,” Santana said. “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.”
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Twins are 100/1 long shots to win the World Series and 50/1 long shots to win the American League pennant. They’re also 18/1 long shots to win the AL Central Division, which gives them the worst odds of the five teams.
Santana signed a four-year, $55 million deal with the Twins this offseason, which was the largest contract in franchise history.
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