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Nov. 18 (UPI) -- New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has been suspended for the entire 2021 MLB season after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug stanozolol, the league announced Wednesday. It marks the second PED ban for the 38-year-old Cano, who missed 80 games in the 2018 campaign after testing positive for a diuretic while playing for the Seattle Mariners.
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"We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson's suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. "The violation is very unfortunate for him, the organization, our fans, and the sport.
"The Mets fully support MLB's efforts toward eliminating performance-enhancing substances from the game."
Under the joint drug agreement between the league and the players' union, a second positive test results in an automatic 162-game suspension. As a result, Cano will forfeit his $24 million salary in the 2021 season.
"I understand that everything that goes into my body, I'm responsible for that," Cano said in a statement.
The Mariners traded Cano to the Mets in December 2018. After struggling during his first season with the club, he rebounded with a .316 batting average and 10 home runs in 49 games in 2020. He was expected to have a significant role in the Mets' first season under new owner Steve Cohen.
Cano, who previously signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Mariners, has two years and $48 million left on the deal.
