Top MLB Prospect Blames Fertility Drug After Testing Positive For PEDs

06/23/2024 01:20 PM

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 21: Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Orelvis Martinez (13) at bat during the third inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians on June 21, 2024, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Two days after he made his debut, MLB suspended Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martinez for 80 games for a PED violation. He tested positive for clomiphene, a fertility drug on the league's list of banned substances.

Following Sunday's suspension, Martinez released a statement saying he's been trying to start a family with his girlfriend. A doctor from his native Dominican Republic prescribed Rejun 50, a medication containing clomiphene.

"We wanted to keep this matter private, even within our family, and trusted the doctor who assured us this treatment did not include performance-enhancing drugs," Martinez said in the statement. "Therefore, I made the mistake of not disclosing this to my team or the MLBPA.

"With that said, I took full responsibility for my negligence and accepted my suspension."

Martinez signed with the Blue Jays as a teenage international free agent in 2018. He batted .260/.343/.523 with 16 home runs in 63 games for Toronto's Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo this season.

The Blue Jays promoted the 22-year-old earlier this week after placing starting shortstop Bo Bichette on the injured list. Martinez, the organization's No. 2-ranked prospect on MLB.com, went 1-for-3 in his lone MLB appearance on Friday.

The suspension makes Martinez ineligible until the final week of the regular season.

"I want to apologize to my teammates in both Buffalo and Toronto, the Blue Jays organization, and most importantly, the fans who have supported me during my career," Martinez said. "I will learn from this experience and come back to the field in September."