Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances, Major League Baseball announced Friday morning.
According to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, MLB confirmed Gordon tested positive for testosterone and clostebol.
Gordon, the National League's reigning batting champion, will begin serving his suspension immediately.
Yahoo Sports' Big League Stew relayed MLB's official statement on the suspension:
According to Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown, the "announcement came tonight because he only just dropped his appeal and wanted to tell his teammates what happened."
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported Gordon tested positive during spring training.
Gordon released a statement on Friday, via Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press:
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynoldsThis is the Dee Gordon statement, just released through the players' union:
Marlins president David P. Samson also released a statement:
Florida Marlins @MarlinsA statement from David P. Samson, Marlins President:
Shortly after the news broke, Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander provided a pointed take regarding MLB's PED policy (warning: NSFW language):
Justin Verlander @JustinVerlanderThis PED shit is killing me. If u test positive u need to not play. You shouldn't be allowed to effect games while appealing.
Losing Gordon for 80 games is a crippling blow to a Marlins offense that was already struggling to produce runs with him in the lineup.
Gordon was hardly producing up to his All-Star standards with a .266 batting average, six stolen bases and five RBI. But as a sensational 2015 season demonstrated, his consistency at the plate quickly became an invaluable piece of the puzzle in Miami.
ESPN Stats & Info put Gordon's recent production in perspective:
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfoDee Gordon Last 3 Seasons Hits 406 2nd Triples 22 T-1st SB 128 1st
The Marlins banked on Gordon holding down the fort atop their batting order when they signed him to a five-year, $50 million extension during the offseason, but now they'll need to turn to a less established alternative.
Derek Dietrich has appeared in two games at second base this season and projects as Gordon's likely replacement. However, he owns a lowly .238 career batting average and a cumulative defensive WAR rating of minus-2.6, per Baseball-Reference.com.
If there's good news for the Marlins, it's that Dietrich has started the 2016 season in relatively strong fashion. In 31 plate appearances, Dietrich is batting .321 with six RBI, one home run, three doubles and a triple.
The Marlins could also plug Miguel Rojas in at second base if they’re inclined to go with a more polished defensive option, but he’s batting a meager .222 in 2016.
