Spanish
Santo Domingo. The young Dominican pitcher Eric Veras, just 18 years old, has been suspended for 56 games for violating the anti-doping program of the Major League Baseball (MLB) minor leagues, according to an announcement this Friday by the commissioner's office.
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You see, a Colorado Rockies prospect, tested positive for boldenone, a banned anabolic steroid, during a test conducted as part of the program for players developing outside the United States and Canada. MLB did not offer details on the exact date of the test or whether the player appealed the result.
The news arrives at a time when the left-hander was beginning to show promising signs in the development system. In the current season, Veras had made five starts with a 2-0 record and an ERA of 3.97. He signed with the Rockies in January 2024 for a bonus of US$125,000 and last year finished with a 3-1 record and a 3.80 ERA in 10 starts.
With this sanction, Veras becomes the ninth player suspended for doping so far in 2025 and the seventh within the minor league system. In the Major Leagues, outfielder Jurickson Profar (Atlanta Braves) and reliever José Alvarado (Philadelphia Phillies) have also been suspended this year, both with 80 games.
The boldenone, the substance detected in Veras' sample, is known for its effects on increasing muscle mass and endurance, although its use is completely prohibited in professional sports due to its side effects and competitive advantages.
The Veras case reignites the debate over doping control in the minor leagues, where surveillance and education systems are less robust than in the Major Leagues. For the Rockies, the suspension represents a significant loss in their group of young talents, while for Veras himself it represents a significant blow at a key stage in his professional development.
Only time will tell if this stumble will be a permanent stain or a lesson on the path of a pitcher who, until now, seemed to have a promising future.
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