Written by Des Bieler at WashingtonPost.com
Raul Mondesi, a top prospect in the Royals’ organization, was suspended 50 games Tuesday for testing positive for clenbuterol, an anabolic substance. The 20-year-old shortstop was able to negotiate a lighter punishment than the standard 80-game ban issued for performance-enhancing drug use by MLB, after he provided evidence that he ingested the substance while taking a cold medicine.
“I took an over-the-counter medication, [Subrox-C], which I bought in the Dominican Republic to treat cold and flu symptoms,” Mondesi said in a statement. “I failed to read the labeling on the medication or consult with my trainer or team about taking it and did not know it contained a banned substance. I tested positive for that banned substance, with a minuscule amount of Clenbuterol in my system, which could not have possibly enhanced my performance on the field, and now must face the consequences of that mistake.”
Mondesi, whose father of the same name enjoyed a 13-year MLB career, added, “Never did I intend to take a substance that would give me an unfair advantage on the field. It is solely my mistake and there are no excuses for my carelessness in not being fully informed of what I put in my body.”
The suspension begins immediately, and Mondesi said his goal is to “make it back in time to help my organization compete for another World Series title.” Last year, he became the first player to make his MLB debut during the World Series, when he struck out as a pinch-hitter in Game 3 against the Mets; Kansas City went on to win its first championship in 30 years.
This year, Mondesi has been playing for the Royals’ Class AA affiliate, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. He is set to lose $11,311 of his $41,400 minor-league salary, but if he gets promoted to the majors, he will get paid a pro-rated portion of the $507,500 minimum.
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