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MLB Suspends Twins' Ervin Santana For Drug Violation

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The MLB has suspended Twins pitcher Ervin Santana for 80 games without pay after testing positive for PEDs (Stanozolol).

"Ever since I was a child I always had to work harder than everyone. Not too many people believed I could become a major leaguer. I worked hard to achieve everything I accomplished and I take pride in proving that through hard work dreams can come true," Santana said in a statement. "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. ... Moving forward, I need to be more careful on what I consume in my home country, I will be more vigilant of medications I take so that I don't commit another mistake."

The Minnesota Twins also issued a statement following the League's announcement about the right-handed pitcher.

"We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Ervin Santana for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the statement read. "We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing substances from our game. Per the protocol outlined in the Joint Drug Program, the Minnesota Twins will not comment further on this matter."

The Twins gave Santana a four-year, $54 million contract this season, which represented the largest free agent deal in team history. He will reportedly lose $5.9 million of his $13.5 million salary this season.

Aaron Thompson has been recalled from AAA. Mike Pelfrey has been bumped to the rotation, and Thompson will be added to the bullpen, according to a spokesperson for the Twins.

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