Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone. The league announced the discipline on Monday, stating that the suspension will cover the first 80 games of the upcoming MLB season.
The penalty falls under MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, which outlines standardized suspensions for positive tests involving performance-enhancing substances. An 80-game ban is the typical first-offense suspension for a violation involving these types of substances.
Boldenone is classified as an anabolic steroid and is on MLB’s list of prohibited performance-enhancing drugs. The substance is banned for all major league and minor league players, and a confirmed positive test triggers an automatic review and disciplinary process as laid out in the collective bargaining agreement and drug program.
Rojas’ suspension will begin at the start of the regular season and will keep him out of action for roughly half of the 162-game schedule, barring postponements or other changes to the calendar. During the suspension, he is ineligible to participate in major league games. Other restrictions that may apply, such as access to club facilities or participation in minor league competition or rehab assignments, would follow the specific terms of MLB’s drug policy, which governs player activities during a ban.
The Phillies now face the task of adjusting their outfield plans for the opening portion of the season without Rojas available. The club’s depth, internal options, and any potential roster moves to address the absence were not detailed in the league’s announcement. MLB’s statement focused solely on the positive test, the specific substance involved, and the length of the suspension.
No additional details regarding the timing of the test, any appeal, or comments from Rojas, the Phillies organization, or the Players Association were provided in the information made public. The decision and its terms are in line with the established framework MLB uses to address performance-enhancing drug violations, reaffirming the league’s ongoing enforcement of its drug policies across all clubs and players.
