Report: Indians' Clase can serve entire 80-game PED suspension in 2020

Cleveland Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase will be allowed to serve his entire 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs during the shortened 60-game season, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com.

MLB handed Clase the ban on May 1 after he tested positive for boldenone, an anabolic steroid. Because the ban was announced during the pandemic stoppage, it was initially unclear how and when he'd serve the punishment.

But as part of the agreement MLB and the players' association negotiated this week, the sides agreed that Clase's suspension would not carry over to 2021 if a full 60-game season is played, Hoynes reports. However, the sides would have to renegotiate these terms if the coronavirus shortens or cancels the 2020 campaign.

It's not clear if this ruling affects other players who are suspended for longer than 60 games. New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German is serving an 81-game ban for violating the league's joint domestic violence policy that has 63 games remaining.

Cleveland acquired Clase from the Texas Rangers in last offseason's trade for former Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. The 22-year-old made his big-league debut in 2019 and posted a 2.31 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings for Texas.

Clase strained his back in February, shortly before spring training was suspended. Had the season played out normally, that injury likely would have sidelined him for several months.