Blue Jays investigating suspended minor leaguers for PED use

The Toronto Blue Jays are investigating six minor league players who were suspended last week for using performance enhancing drugs. General manager Ross Atkins released a statement that the team is looking into the players and the system that allowed this to happen undetected until now, according to ESPN.

"This situation is very disappointing and disturbing to the organization; disappointing that the players made these choices, but more so disturbing that some failure of our environment allowed this to happen," Atkins said. "It is our responsibility to create an environment and culture where our players know that PED use is not condoned and to give them resources and education to ensure that they do not make these decisions."

The six players all played for low-level minor league Blue Jays affiliates. Jol Concepcion, who plays for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, received a 60-game ban. The others play for the rookie-level Dominican Summer League Blue Jays. Pitchers Juan Jimenez and Naswell Paulino, shortstop Hugo Cardona, infielder Yhon Perez, and catcher Leonicio Ventura were each suspended 72 games without pay.

All of the suspended players tested positive for the steroid boldenone.