NEW YORK (AP) – Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.
The commissioner’s office said Thursday he tested positive for EPO. Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the red blood cell production and often has turned up in the test results for cyclists.
He is the eighth player suspended this year under the major league drug-testing program.
Castillo is in his ninth major league season. The Dominican is batting .267 with six homers and 15 RBIs this year on a team that is 15-31.
Barring rainouts, he would be eligible to return Aug, 24 at Detroit. He would lose more than $3.5 million of his $7.25 million salary.
