Dodgers’ Josh Ravin Suspended For PEDs

SEE ALSO: 2016 Drug Suspensions

Dodgers righthander Josh Ravin, on the disabled list after breaking his left forearm in February, has been suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy.

Ravin, 28, tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2. Because of the injury, Ravin was not expected to be able to pitch until June at the earliest.

“We are disappointed to hear that Josh has violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “The Dodgers fully support MLB’s policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport and, as per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension.”

For his part, Ravin was apologetic in a statement released by the MLB Players Association on his behalf.

“During 2016 spring training, I came down with a severe case of intestinal flu and strep throat.  I was put on antibiotics and lost a total of 20 pounds in less than seven days.  To try and speed up my recovery, I took some supplements that I thought would help.  Unfortunately, I was not as careful as I should have been and one of the supplements contained a banned substance,” Ravin wrote.

“I later learned that the substance showed up in a regular drug test done of me during 2016 spring training.  This has been a very painful lesson for me.  I have always tried to avoid doing anything in violation of the system and I take full responsibility for the consequences of my actions and my bad judgment.  So, I have decided to accept the suspension and continue my ultimate goal to be able to pitch again in the major leagues.”

Ravin, a fifth-round pick of the Reds in 2006 out of high school in California, reached the majors with the Dodgers in 2015, going 2-1, 6.75 in nine appearances. He broke his arm in a multi-car accident in February and had surgery shortly after.