Mariners all-star suspended

Photo: The Canadian Press

Seattle already knew Robinson Cano would be out of the Mariners lineup for several weeks, the result of a broken bone in his right hand.

His absence will be significantly longer.

The All-Star second baseman was suspended for 80 games on Tuesday for violating baseball's drug agreement, becoming among the most prominent players disciplined under the sport's anti-doping rules.

Major League Baseball's announcement was a stunning development for a middle-of-the-lineup stalwart and a club expected to contend for a post-season spot. Cano tested positive for Furosemide, a diuretic that can be used to mask performance-enhancing drugs.

In a statement released through the players' association, Cano said, "This substance was given to me by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic to treat a medical ailment." He said he did not realize it was banned.

"For more than 15 years, playing professional baseball has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life," Cano said. "I would never do anything to cheat the rules of the game that I love, and after undergoing dozens of drug tests over more than a decade, I have never tested positive for a performance enhancing substance for the simple reason that I have never taken one," Cano said in the statement issued by the players' association.

"Today I decided to accept MLB's suspension. This was the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life, but ultimately the right decision given that I do not dispute that I was given this substance. I apologize to my family, friends, fans, teammates and the Mariners organization."

If no games are postponed, Cano would be eligible to return Aug. 14 at Oakland. In the short-term, Seattle will use Gordon Beckham and Andrew Romine to fill the void at second base, but Servais and Dipoto spoke with outfielder Dee Gordon about a possible move back to second base.

Furosemide, sold under the name Lasix, can be purchased without a prescription and is used to treat high blood pressure and fluid buildup. It is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances.

Cano's positive resulted from an off-season test, a person familiar with the process said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement specifies such details remain confidential.

The suspension was announced two days after the first significant injury during Cano's tenure in Seattle. Cano landed on the disabled list Monday, a day after a bone in his right hand was broken when hit by a pitch in Detroit. Cano is expected to have surgery on the injury on Wednesday.

If there are no games postponed, the Mariners have 11 off days during the time of the ban, so Cano would lose 91-186ths of his $24 million salary, which comes to $11,741,936.