Andrew McKirahan, the Braves’ pitcher, was suspended for 80 games.
Becomes the fifth major league player in 25 days to be suspended.
Andrew McKirahan, an Atlanta Braves reliever, was suspended for 80 games Monday after testing positive for a banned substance under Major League Baseball’s drug protocol.
McKirahan is the fifth major league pitcher to be reprimanded for using performance-enhancing substances in the past 25 days. He was cited for Ipamorelin, a growth hormone releaser.
According to Braves president of baseball operations John Hart, McKirahan did not specify how he ingested the banned substance.
“Obviously as an organization we’re really disappointed,” Hart said in a statement. “Look, it’s not like these kids and players don’t know what they can and cannot put into their bodies. We invested a lot of time and work into it. Obviously, Andrew made the wrong decision. I suppose from an organizational sense, we’re not very thrilled about that.”
Hart expects McKirahan will use the 80 games to “get himself in the best shape” before returning in late July to continue his career. We have really appreciated what we’ve seen from Andrew.”
McKirahan, a 25-year-old left-handed pitcher, with a 4.15 ERA in three outings this season. He retired the only two batters he faced in the seventh inning of Sunday’s victory over Toronto.
“I am extremely sorry for letting down the Atlanta Braves organization, my coaches, teammates and the Braves fans,” the 29-year-old said in a statement. “This is in no way representative of my character or morals. I will work hard during my suspension and pray that everyone will forgive me.”
McKirahan was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 21st round of the 2011 amateur draft, then taken by Miami in the winter meeting draft of unprotected players, and finally claimed by Atlanta off waivers on April 1.
Hart speculated that McKirahan may have been tested before being claimed by the Braves.
“My instincts are yes, that’s probably what happened,” she stated. “But I don’t know what the timeframe was.”
According to baseball’s joint drug agreement with the union, each player on a 40-man roster is tested when they report for spring training.
McKirahan’s suspension puts extra strain on an already limited Braves bullpen.
In spring training, the team released veteran left-hander James Russell, leaving a position open for McKirahan. Brady Feigl, another left-hander, was a strong contender for a bullpen place in spring training but is currently on the disabled list at Triple-A Gwinnett due to an elbow ailment.
“When Feiigl went down, we were really happy that we had McKirahan because Feigl was sort of the next guy,” Hart told reporters.
Hart stated that the team will call up another reliever.
“At this time of year it’s almost impossible to go out and make a deal, so yes, we’re going to fill this from within, there’s no doubt,” he told reporters.
McKirahan loses $221,858 from his $507,500 pay, which is the major league minimum.
Minnesota’s Ervin Santana, the New York Mets’ Jenrry Mejia, Seattle’s David Rollins, and Atlanta’s Arodys Vizcaino were suspended after testing positive for Stanozolol, also known as Winstrol and popular among bodybuilders.
Santana pitched for Atlanta last year. Vizcaino, like McKirahan, was in the Cubs’ organization last season.
