MLB suspends White Sox catcher for 80 games
White Sox catcher Welington Castillo was suspended 80 games without pay Thursday after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance erythropoietin, or EPO, MLB announced.
The announcement came nine days after Mariners All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano received the same punishment for using the banned substance furosemide.
Unlike Cano and many others caught in similar circumstances, Castillo took full responsibility for his actions.
“I was recently notified by Major League Baseball that I had tested positive for EPO, a substance that is prohibited under MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement,” he said in a statement.
“The positive test resulted from an extremely poor decision that I, and I alone, made. I take full responsibility for my conduct. I have let many people down, including my family, my teammates, the White Sox organization and its fans, and from my heart, I apologize. Following my suspension, I look forward to rejoining my teammates and doing whatever I can to help the White Sox win.”
Chicago signed Castillo to a two-year, $15 million contract in December.
“We view it as an upgrade for us, both in the short term and the long term,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said at the time. “He’s been one of the more productive catchers in baseball over the last couple of years and we think he’s going to have a lasting impact on both our young pitchers and our young catchers as they continue to progress and eventually develop at the big-league level.”
The nine-year veteran, nicknamed “Beef,” is hitting .267 with six home runs and 15 RBIs.
Hahn said Castillo sought him out as well as manager Rick Renteria on Wednesday night after learning about the suspension.
“He said it was a priority for him to apologize to his teammates, which he did earlier this morning,” the GM said Thursday. “He certainly has stood up and accepted responsibility for his actions. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s disappointing.”
Added Renteria: “Obviously it’s a little bit of a blow for us, a young man who knows he made a mistake, and I think he’ll learn from it. It doesn’t change how I feel about him. This kid, I’ve had him before, and this too shall pass, as they say, and we’ll move on.”
Teammates of the 31-year-old Dominican said they will welcome him back as part of the family when he returns from the suspension in late August.
“I spoke with him in the morning and he was very … hurt,” first baseman Jose Abreu said through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. “But we’re human beings and we make mistakes. It’s up to us to move forward and to learn from them. He has our support. It’s a tough situation for all of us, our organization, for him and for me.”
Said second baseman Yolmer Sanchez: “We have a really good relationship. He’s my friend, and when he wants, I’ll be here for him.”
Omar Narvaez will take over as the White Sox’s starting catcher, and Alfredo Gonzalez was called up from Triple-A Charlotte to serve as the backup.
The 26-year-old Narvaez is hitting .180 with one RBI in 61 at-bats this season.
In addition to Castillo and Cano, six other players have been suspended under MLB’s drug program this year: Astros pitcher Dean Deetz, Nationals catcher Raudy Read, Pirates pitcher Nik Turley, Royals outfielder Jorge Bonifacio, Blue Jays pitcher Thomas Pannone and Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco.
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