New York: Left-handed hurler David Rollins won’t start the season in the Seattle Mariners bullpen after he was handed an 80-game Major League Baseball ban for doping.
Rollins, 25, was vying in Spring Training for a spot on the Mariners’ opening day roster.
In eight exhibition innings he had allowed just one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
Major League Baseball said Rollins, who was acquired from the Astros in December’s rule 5 draft of professional players, tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.
He was notified of the positive test and suspension a few days ago and MLB officials said he will not appeal.
“It was a mistake on my part,” Rollins told the Seattle Times. “It was very bad judgement and I’ve been regretting it ever since.
“It was when I got back from winter ball and I was sore and I was trying to speed up my recovery,” he said. “It was bad, bad judgement.”
