Eric Skoglund suspended 80 games for a banned substance

Left-hander Eric Skoglund has been suspended 80 games for a banned substance, violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy. According to Rustin Dodd of The Athletic, Skoglund was banned for testing positive for Ostarine and Ligandrol, which are “selective androgen receptor modulators.” Some notable college players were suspended for Ostarine last year, such as Clemson football player Dexter Lawrence and Arizona basketball player Alonzo Trier. The NBA’s Joakim Noah was suspended in 2017 for Lingadrol, a testosterone booster, as was Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier in 2015.

Skoglund pitched in 14 games for the Royals in 2018, going 70 innings with a 5.14 ERA and 49 strikeouts. He missed several weeks with a UCL sprain and an ankle injury. He was a candidate to make this year’s rotation, but will now miss the entire first half of the season. He will be placed on the suspended list, opening up a 40-man roster spot. This is the third time in four years a notable Royals player has been suspended for PEDs, with Jorge Bonifacio missing action last year for testing positive for Boldenone, and Adalberto Mondesí (then known as Raúl ) suspended in 2016 for Clenbuterol.