Alexei Ramírez tests positive for doping in the World Baseball Classic

LAUSANNE, Switzerland.–Former Major League player Alexei Ramírez was provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substances during the most recent World Baseball Classic, according to anti-doping authorities.

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The International Testing Agency (ITA) reported that the 44-year-old former Cuban shortstop tested positive for metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone, and stanozolol, all anabolic steroids linked to enhanced physical performance. Ramírez, who participated in the tournament held in March, had made history by becoming the oldest player to see action in the World Baseball Classic. Following the official notification, the former player was provisionally suspended while the corresponding disciplinary process is carried out. During his career in the Major Leagues, Ramírez played mainly with the Chicago White Sox, in addition to having stints with the San Diego Padres and the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2008, he finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, an award that Evan Longoria won. Before his MLB career, the infielder was an Olympic champion with Cuba at the 2004 Athens Olympics and also was part of the team that won the silver medal in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. The ITA explained that the detected substances are associated with the increase of muscle mass, strength, and performance, which constitutes a violation of anti-doping rules. The organization indicated that the sample was taken during the competition, in which the Cuban national team failed to advance beyond the group stage. In his Major League career, Ramírez accumulated 115 home runs and 590 RBIs before retiring in 2016.