CHICAGO _ White Sox catcher Welington Castillo was suspended 80 games without pay on Thursday for violation of baseball's drug testing rules.
MLB said Castillo tested positive for Erythropoietin (EPO), a performance-enhancing substance.
"I was recently notified by Major League Baseball that I had tested positive for EPO, a substance that is prohibited under MLB's Joint Drug Agreement," Castillo said in a statement.
"The positive test resulted from an extremely poor decision that I, and I alone, made. I take full responsibility for my conduct. I have let many people down, including my family, my teammates, the White Sox organization and its fans, and from my heart, I apologize. Following my suspension, I look forward to rejoining my teammates and doing whatever I can to help the White Sox win."
Castillo is eligible to return in late August and is ineligible for the postseason in the unlikely scenario the Sox make it to October.
In the short term, the Sox will turn to Omar Narvaez as Castillo's replacement as their primary catcher.
Castillo is the first White Sox player to be suspended for a PED violation since drug testing was implemented in 2004. He signed a two-year, $15 million deal last December.
In a statement, White Sox GM Rick Hahn said: "The Chicago White Sox were saddened and disappointed to learn of the suspension of catcher Welington Castillo for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Welington has apologized to the team and his teammates and has taken full responsibility for his actions. He understands that he has negatively affected the team and has fallen short of the expectations we have of our players. The White Sox fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing substances from our game."
Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the red blood cell production and often has turned up in test results for cyclists, including Lance Armstrong.
