Twins' Polanco suspended 80 games for PED use

Major League Baseball has suspended Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco 80 games without pay after he tested positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance, the league announced.

Polanco issued a statement through the MLBPA shortly after the suspension was announced, accepting the ruling while stating his use of the steroid was an unintentional mix-up.

"Today, I have regretfully accepted my 80-game suspension for testing positive for Stanozolol. To be clear, I did not intentionally consume this steroid. I now know, however, that my intention alone is not a good enough excuse and I will pay the price for my error in judgment. The substance that I requested from my athletic trainer in the Dominican Republic and consented to take was a combination of vitamin B12 and an iron supplement, something that is not unusual or illegal for professional athletes to take. Unfortunately, what I was given was not that supplement and I take full responsibility for what is in my body."

He added that he wants to appeal, but is declining to do so out of respect to his coaches, teammates, and the Twins as a whole.

In 2015, several players were suspended after testing positive for the same substance including Ervin Santana and Arodys Vizcaino.

Polanco, 24, is coming off his first full season in the majors. In 133 games, he hit .256/.313/.410 with 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases, and was poised to be the team's starting shortstop entering the 2018 season.

Despite the suspension, the Twins don't appear ready to give the reins of the position to top prospect Nick Gordon, who was assigned to Minor League camp Sunday, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Eduardo Escobar is expected to take over shortstop duties in Polanco's absence with Erick Aybar and Ehire Adrianza also in the fold.