If you were hoping for good news following the Twins' extra-innings loss to the Cleveland Indians on Friday night, then this isn't the story for you.
Major League Baseball announced Saturday that Twins right-handed pitcher Michael Pineda has been suspended 60 games after testing positive for hydrochlorothiazide. The substance is a diuretic commonly used as a masking agent for performance-enhancing drugs.
#MNTwins statement regarding the suspension of Pineda. pic.twitter.com/qGVmOvIW60
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins)
September 7, 2019 Pineda had originally been suspended 80 games, but had that suspension reduced on appeal.
Twins starter Michael Pineda has been suspended for 60 games for a drug violation, sources tell ESPN. He originally got an 80-game suspension, but it was reduced to 60 on appeal, as a compelling case was made that a banned diuretic he used was not a masking agent for PEDs.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan)
September 7, 2019 The Twins acquired Pineda in December 2017 after he signed a two-year deal. He was 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 26 starts this season. He'll miss the remainder of the regular season, any postseason play, and the suspension will extend into the 2020 season.
The Twins hold a 5.5 game lead over the Cleveland Indians for first place in the American League Central. They'll face one another Saturday and Sunday as part of a three game series at Target Field.
