Johan Rojas tests positive for a banned substance and is out of the World Baseball Classic

Philadelphia, USA— Dominican outfielder Johan Rojas, of the Philadelphia Phillies, tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, a situation that will prevent him from participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and could lead to a sanction by Major League Baseball.

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According to reports from specialists in international baseball, the outfielder did not show up with the rest of the roster of the Dominican Republic Baseball Team when the team began its concentration, which raised doubts about his status for the tournament. It was later reported that Rojas had tested positive for a banned substance, which automatically excludes him from the international event and could also affect his situation for the upcoming season of the Major League Baseball. The outfielder has been part of the Philadelphia Phillies’ Major League roster for the last three seasons, standing out mainly for his outfield defense, although last season he recorded a .224 batting average. The news arrives amidst internal competition for the Phillies’ outfield positions for the upcoming season, where the team has established figures like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, in addition to other players seeking to solidify their place in the lineup. It is expected that in the coming hours MLB will make the corresponding sanction official after confirming the violation of the anti-doping program.