Phillies’ Johan Rojas facing an 80-game suspension for PED violation

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas is facing an 80-game suspension by Major League Baseball for a failed performance-enhancing drug check, two league sources confirmed to TheAthletic on Tuesday.

Rojas, who’s interesting the testing outcomes, was set to compete for the Dominican Republic throughout the World Baseball Classic. He dropped out of the event final week.

The 25-year-old entered Phillies camp as one thing of an afterthought; his spot on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster was firmly in jeopardy. The Phillies might carry him because the final man on the bench, however Rojas has a minor-league choice and may be despatched to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for common enjoying time.

Now, it is potential he doesn’t seem in regular-season video games at any stage till late June.

Reporter Wilber Sanchez first broke the information of Rojas’ ban from the WBC. Rojas didn’t report back to Miami over the weekend with the remainder of the DR staff.

Rojas performed in Sunday’s Grapefruit League sport for the Phillies, beginning in heart discipline in opposition to the New York Yankees. He didn’t attain base and struck out as soon as in two plate appearances. He labored out with the Phillies in Clearwater on Tuesday. He nonetheless has a locker within the staff’s clubhouse. Whether the Phillies proceed to play Rojas in exhibition video games whereas the attraction course of unfolds is unclear. He is permitted to play.

The constructive check, sources stated, got here throughout the offseason. The appeals course of is often shrouded; groups typically have no idea whether or not certainly one of their gamers is asking a check consequence. The WBC altered that timeline. In addition, Rojas just lately fired an agent he had employed someday throughout the offseason, based on sources.

For Rojas, a fringe participant who can be out of minor-league choices in 2027, a possible suspension has important ramifications. Although he’s an elite defender, Rojas has failed to ascertain himself on the plate. He was demoted to Triple A on Aug. 1 final season after hitting .177/.245/.229 with a .474 OPS over his final 50 video games, and was not included on the Phillies’ postseason roster due to a leg harm. He is a profession .252/.294/.340 hitter in 250 big-league video games. The Phillies have all the time been enticed by the concept of ​​Rojas. He has but to refine his sport and profiles as a fourth or fifth outfielder within the majors.

His exclusion would harm the Phillies’ depth. They wouldn’t have a strong outfield combine. Brandon Marsh is anticipated to be in left discipline, with rookie Justin Crawford in heart and Adolis García in proper. Otto Kemp, who has spent most of his skilled profession as an infielder, is attempting to learn left field. Pedro León and Bryan De La Cruz are in camp combating for a job.

But prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. is sidelined by persistent knee points and Rojas’ standing is now unsure. If one of many present group will get injured, the Phillies may have bother backfilling. They stand to learn from an outfield addition, even on a minor-league deal, later this month when different golf equipment make cuts.