While it remains unclear when -- or how -- the 2020 MLB season will be starting, when -- or if -- it does, the Cleveland Indians will be without a key piece of its bullpen.
On Friday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance that violates the league's policy.
"We were disappointed to learn of today’s suspension of Emmanuel Clase for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the Indians said in a statement. "We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our game. We have been in contact with Emmanuel, and we will welcome him back after the discipline has been served. Per the protocol outlined by Major League Baseball's Collective Bargaining Agreement, we will not comment further on the circumstances surrounding this announcement."
A 22-year-old right-hander, Clase was the considered the centerpiece of the return Cleveland received when it traded 2-time American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers in December. Known for his high-velocity pitching, which is capable of reaching more than 100 miles per hour, Clase was expected to be a key piece of the Indians bullpen in 2020, with Indians team president Chris Antonetti telling 3News that the Dominican Republic native was the player he was most excited to watch in the coming season.
"He just happens to have one of the most unique pitches in baseball. He throws 100 miles per hour and it's not straight," Antonetti said at TribeFest in February. "We're excited to see how that plays out and we think he's got a chance to really help us in the back end of the bullpen."
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