Miami

Marlins' Gordon Suspended 80 Games for PED Violation

Defending NL batting champion Dee Gordon was suspended for 80 games on Friday

Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon was suspended for 80 games for a performance-enhancing drug violation on Friday.

Major League Baseball in announcing the suspension stated that Gordon tested positive for testosterone and clostebol. Gordon must begin the suspension immediately and will forfeit roughly $1.65 million in salary.

Gordon released a statement on Friday morning in regards to the suspension.

"Though I did not do so knowingly, I have been informed that test results showed I ingested something that contained prohibited substances. The hardest part about this is feeling that I have let down my teammates, the organization and the fans," Gordon said. "I have been careful to avoid products that could contain something banned by MLB and the 20+ tests that I have taken and passed throughout my career prove this. I made a mistake and I accept the consequences."

This is a crushing blow to the Marlins who are coming off a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road. Miami has won five games in a row and has turned its season around in a hurry. It will be difficult to continue that momentum now without Gordon.

Miami's manager Don Mattingly knows Gordon well as the two spent time together in Los Angeles before Miami. Mattingly had some thoughts on the suspension following the win in Los Angeles.

"These guys love Dee, and we're going to support him," Mattingly said. "I feel like Dee's one of my kids, to be honest with you, because I've known him so long. So we're going to love him, and then we're going to support him. He's been a big part of the success that we've had."

Team president David Samson also commented on Gordon's suspension and let it be known that Miami is disappointed.

"Dee Gordon is a very important part of our team, and we all love him and support him," Marlins president David Samson said. "That said, I don't like or condone what he did. He is an important member of this organization and will be for many years to come. It's a huge, huge disappointment to the kids, to our fans, to his teammates and to everyone in our organization every single day."

Miami is off to Milwaukee now for a series with the Brewers. Derek Dieitrich is the likely beneficiary of Gordon's suspension.

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