Royals OF Jorge Bonifacio suspended 80 games for PED violation
MLB announced on Saturday that Kansas City Royals outfielder Jorge Bonifacio has tested positive for a banned substance and will be suspended for 80 games starting at the beginning of the season.
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Royals OF Jorge Bonifacio has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a PED that violates Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 10, 2018
The substance he is banned for is boldenone, a steroid that has been used in race horses.
Bonifacio played in 113 games for the Royals last season, posting a .255 batting average with 17 home runs in 422 plate appearances. The 24-year-old was a strong candidate to start for the Royals this season.
“This obviously [is] a very disappointing situation for the Royals, our fans and Jorge,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore told The Athletic. “He is an incredible person who simply made a mistake. Jorge will have our full support as he deals with the consequences.”
Bonifacio’s suspension clears a roster spot for third baseman Mike Moustakas, whom the Royals brought back on a one-year deal on Thursday.
