Pitcher dealt by Rangers in Corey Kluber trade banned after using steroid for horses
For those scoring at home, the Texas Rangers are winning the Corey Kluber trade without even playing a game.
Emmanuel Clase, the Cleveland Indians reliever with 100-mph fastball, was suspended 80 games Friday by MLB after violating the Joint Drug Agreement. The right-hander tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid that is considered performance-enhancing substance.
Boldenone is commonly used by veterinarians to treat horses.
Clase was traded to the Indians along with Delino DeShields on Dec. 17 in a trade for Kluber, a two-time American League Cy Young winner who missed most of last season with a broken right forearm and a strained oblique muscle.
Clase’s second career appearance came last season against the Indians, who were blown away with what they saw. He topped 100 mph with his cut fastball, leaving Indians hitters shaking the their heads.
He was viewed as a future closer after opening 2019 at Low A Hickory and shooting through High A and Double A before making his MLB debut Aug. 4.
Clase was injured in spring training and was expected to miss the first 12 weeks of the season with a strained teres major muscle in the back of his shoulder.
Kluber, meanwhile, had shown no ill-effects from his missed time. He allowed three runs over seven innings in his first two Cactus League starts.
