Mariners’ Robinson Cano releases statement after 80-game suspension for steroids use

The news, first reported by Deportivo Z 101’s Héctor Gómez and confirmed by Fox’s Ken Rosenthal, broke after Cano fractured his right hand during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.

Cano released a statement on Twitter shortly after the MLB confirmed the suspension saying he decided to accept the punishment even though he said the substance for which he tested positive was “not a performance enhancing drug”, but rather given to him by a doctor in the Dominican Republic to cure a medical ailment.

“While I did not realize at the time that I was given a medication that was banned, I obviously wish that I had been more careful… I would never do anything to cheat the rules of theme that I love, and after undergoing dozens of drug tests over more than a decade, I have never tested positive for a performance enchains substance fornthebsnmple reason that I have never taken one,” Cano said in part in his statement.

In his 14th season, Cano played in 39 games and recorded 41 hits, 24 runs four home runs and 23 RBIs. Cano was also averaging .287 with an on-base-percentage of .385 in his fifth season with the Mariners before Sunday’s injury.