18-04-2019, 08:06 AM
FORT MYERS Carl Yastrzemski Jersey , Fla. (AP) — Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright will sit out the first 80 games of the season after testing positive for Human Growth Hormone, a second suspension for the knuckleballer who missed 15 games last year for violating baseball’s domestic violence policy.Wright said in a statement issued through the Major League Baseball Players Association that he learned of the positive test during the offseason.“Although I do not dispute the validity of the test, I was shocked as I have never intentionally ingested anything for performance-enhancing purposes,” the statement said. “I have fully cooperated with MLB and will continue to try and identify the source of the result.”The commissioner’s office said the 34-year-old Wright tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2). He is the second player under the big league program to test positive for HGH, which baseball has screened for in blood tests since 2013.“While we are disappointed by the news of this violation, we will look to provide the appropriate support to Steven at this time,” the Red Sox said in a statement.Wright was arrested on Dec. 8, 2017, at his home outside Nashville, Tennessee Ted Williams Jersey , and charged with domestic related assault and prevention of a 911 call, both misdemeanors. The Boston Globe reported prosecutors retired Wright’s case contingent on him completing an anger management course, refraining from violent contact with his wife, and incurring no new criminal charges for a year.A starter for most of his career and an All-Star in 2016, Wright spent the bulk of last season in the bullpen, going 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 20 games. In addition to the 15-game suspension, he also missed all of April recovering from knee surgery and then went back on the disabled list with knee inflammation and missed all of August.He was originally on the roster for the first-round playoff series against the New York Yankees, but told manager Alex Cora before Game 1 that his knee was bothering him. Wright did not appear in the postseason, when the Red Sox won their fourth World Series since 2004, and he had surgery on his left knee Nov. 12.“I never thought it’d ever come down to this. I respect the joint drug treatment program. Unfortunately we couldn’t figure out how this particular substance got into my system http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-dustin-pedroia-jersey ,” Wright told reporters at the team’s spring training complex. “At the end of the day, it falls on me to try to prevent that. And unfortunately somewhere it got into my body and I don’t know how. But it is what it is and I’ve just got to move on from it.“That’s what’s frustrating about it. I worked my butt off this offseason since getting the surgery. I feel like I’m in a good spot. From an offseason drug test, this comes up. I’ve been dealing with it.”Wright is ineligible to play in any postseason games this year and will lose about half his salary of $1,375,000. Last year’s suspension cost him $94,624 of his $1.1 million salary.“Obviously disappointed,” Cora said. “It’s something that we didn’t expect. We’ll adjust.”The only other player to test positive for growth hormone under the big league program was Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Josh Ravin in 2016. Four players have tested positive for growth hormone under the minor league program since 2015. GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Roberto Perez waited for his turn and vows to make the most of his big chance.Perez figures to get plenty of time behind the plate for the Cleveland Indians after the AL Central champions traded All-Star Yan Gomes to Washington.The 30-year-old Perez is eager to get going.“I’m very excited,” he said. “It was something I’ve always wanted. I knew Yan was the guy but now that I have the opportunity, I’m going to take advantage of it.”Perez arrived in July 2014 from Triple-A after the Indians moved Carlos Santana to first base. Perez was promoted to take advantage of his defensive skill and the next season led the major leagues by throwing out 16 of the 41 runners attempting to steal — that 39 percent rate was tops among catchers with at least 40 tries.Although he hasn’t hit much in his career Nomar Garciaparra Jersey , with a .205 batting average to go along with 21 home runs and 99 RBIs in 285 games, Perez was known for handling Cleveland’s young, talented pitching staff.“The biggest thing is defensively and running the game, getting the right fingers down,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He can get the pitchers through not just the easy part but the difficult parts. He is extremely prepared for that.”“We all feel with regular at-bats, he’s going to hit better,” he said. “Even if he doesn’t hit like Gomes, we still believe in the way he runs the game. That’s first and foremost as a catcher.”Francona’s statement takes the pressure that Perez felt at the plate in spite of his two-homer performance in the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, playing in all seven games. Perez has four home runs in the postseason.“Playing once a week is tough,” Perez said. “There are no excuses http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-dustin-pedroia-jersey , but this game is hard even for the guys that play every day.”“When I was behind Yan, I would play once or twice a week. It is easier when you know you’re going to play the next day. You can make adjustments. You can go 0 for 4 and you can say I’ll get them the next day instead of trying to get three hits in one at-bat.”To improve his batting eye, Perez went to the Dominican Republic for winter ball. He hit .333 for Licey in 24 games with four doubles, a home run and 11 RBIs.There is more of a burden on him to help the team offensively after Yonder Alonso was traded to the Chicago White Sox and Edwin Encarnacion was sent to the Seattle Mariners. Francisco Lindor, who had a big offensive year, is an early question mark with a right calf strain that will keep him out seven to nine weeks.The Indians are trying to rebuild a bullpen that lost closer Cody Allen to the Angels and Andrew Miller to the Cardinals through free agency.Perez will have to prepare reliever Brad Hand for a new role and work in nonroster pitchers such as Alex Wilson. The good news for Perez is that aces Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer are still a couple locker spaces away.“I’m just happy they both never got traded,” Perez said. “We have our rotation intact. They’re fun to watch when I was on the bench. They’re fun to catch.”“I’m excited to have the opportunity to be behind the plate for them all year. I’m looking forward to them having great years.”