PHOENIX — Major League Baseball on Tuesday suspended Brewers catcher Pedro Severino for 80 games without pay following a positive test for Clomiphene, a banned substance under the league’s PED prevention program. Clomiphene is common in female fertility medications and is characterized as a performance-enhancing drug by MLB because it can alter testosterone levels in men.
Severino released a statement via the MLBPA after the suspension was announced
“Since late 2020, my wife and I had been trying to start a family unsuccessfully. When we returned to the Dominican Republic after the 2021 season, we sought medical assistance to determine why we had not succeeded. One of the doctors I consulted with prescribed me with a medication to treat infertility issues. Unfortunately, I now know that the medication contained Clomiphene.
“I accept responsibility for this mistake and I have decided not to challenge my suspension. I have been a professional baseball player since I was 16 years old, and I have also been in the big leagues for parts of seven seasons. I have been tested over 100 times in my career and I had never had an issue. In my attempt to start a family, I made a mistake.
“With that said, I want to apologize to the Milwaukee Brewers organization, the staff, my teammates and our fans for letting you down. I hope you guys can accept me back in July and we can have a great second half.”
The 28-year-old Severino was having a productive spring — .435 average, three doubles, two home runs in eight games — and stood to play a significant role with the Brewers after a three-week crash course with a new pitching staff. The seven-year veteran of the Nationals and Orioles signed for $1.9 million on Nov. 11, and he was supposed to open the season as Milwaukee’s backup to primary catcher Omar Narváez.
The Brewers also released a statement on Tuesday morning:
“The Milwaukee Brewers join Major League Baseball in its efforts to erase performance-enhancing drugs from our game. The organization fully supports MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. We also support Pedro during this time and will welcome him back upon the conclusion of his discipline.”
Now, the Brewers find themselves thin at a critical position on the same day they broke camp — and two days before Opening Day against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The other two catchers currently on the Brewers’ 40-man roster have one game of Major League experience between them. Mario Feliciano, No. 21 on MLB Pipeline’s list of Milwaukee’s top prospects, made a brief Major League debut last season before a right shoulder impingement derailed the rest of his season in the Minors. The Brewers also signed catcher/utility man Brett Sullivan over the winter after he posted a .678 OPS for the Rays’ Triple-A club in 2021. Jakson Reetz, a non-roster invitee, is the other catcher in the system who saw significant time in Major League camp this spring.