Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martínez was handed an 80-game suspension by Major League Baseball on Sunday following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Clomiphene. The announcement came just two days after Martínez made his major league debut.
The 22-year-old Martínez, who joined the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster in November 2022, went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in his debut game against Cleveland on Friday.
“Orelvis was understandably upset and disappointed, and he was quite candid for someone so young when he informed us,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said before Sunday’s game against the Guardians. “He’s clearly humbled and understands he made a mistake. We’re committed to supporting him through this process.”
Martínez will be eligible to return for the final six games of the regular season but will not be allowed to participate in any postseason games this year. He released a statement apologizing to the Blue Jays and their fans.
Martínez explained that he and his girlfriend had been trying to start a family over the past two years and had visited a fertility clinic in the Dominican Republic. Following lab work, they were prescribed a treatment that included a medication called Rejun 50, which unbeknownst to him, contained the banned substance Clomiphene. Martínez said he did not disclose this to his team or the MLBPA, taking full responsibility for his actions and accepting his suspension.
Martínez signed with Toronto in July 2018 for a $3.51 million bonus and has since worked his way up through the Blue Jays’ minor league system. He batted .260 with 16 home runs, 46 RBIs, and an .867 OPS in 63 games at Triple-A Buffalo this season.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins expressed disappointment and surprise over the suspension, noting that Martínez was unaware the substance was banned but acknowledged it was a significant mistake. Martínez’s suspension will result in a loss of approximately half of his salary, which is $740,000 in the major leagues and $120,600 in the minors.
Martínez becomes the eighth player this year to be penalized for performance-enhancing drugs, and the second under the major league program.
