Fernando Tatis Jr. issued a statement apologizing to the San Diego team and his teammates for testing positive for a banned substance that suspended him 80 games.
His statement is contained in a statement issued by the Major League Baseball Players Union. Here is the full text:
“The Major League Baseball Players Association is releasing the following statement on behalf of Fernando Tatis, Jr.:
Major League Baseball informed me that a test sample I submitted came back positive for Clostebol, a banned substance. Turns out I inadvertently took a ringworm medication that contained Clostebol. I should have used whatever resources were available to make sure there were no banned substances in what I took. I could not do it.
I want to apologize to Peter, AJ, the entire Padres organization, my teammates, Major League Baseball, and fans around the world for my mistake. I have no excuse for my mistake, and I would never do anything to cheat or disrespect this game that I love.
I have taken countless drug tests throughout my professional career, including on March 29, 2022, all of which have come back negative until this test.
I am completely devastated. There is no other place in the world that I would rather be than on the field competing with my teammates. After initially appealing the suspension, I have realized that my mistake was the cause of this result, and for that reason I have decided to begin serving my suspension immediately. I look forward to meeting my teammates on the field in 2023.”
