Royals LHP Skoglund gets 80-game ban for PEDs

Kansas City Royals left-hander Eric Skoglund has been suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for two performance-enhancing substances, commissioner Rob Manfred's office announced Wednesday.

Skoglund, 26, was 1-6 in 14 games (13 starts) for the Royals last season, posting a 5.14 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 70 innings.

The league said he tested positive for both Ostarine and Ligandrol in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

His suspension will be effective at the start of the 2019 regular season, per the commissioner's statement.

The Royals released a lengthy statement from general manager Dayton Moore, who said Skoglund "unknowingly made a mistake."

"Unfortunately when something like this occurs I immediately think about how much work and dedication our medical staff does communicating to the players about the importance of being careful about what they put in their bodies," the statement read. "I'm appreciative that professional baseball players are tested more frequently than any professional athlete and we should all be thankful that testing is working.

"Eric is a tremendous young man and he unknowingly made a mistake and he will have to accept his suspension, work hard and be ready to go after the suspension is served. We remain proud of who Eric is as a person and will support him as an organization."

Kansas City drafted Skoglund in the third round in 2014. In two seasons with the Royals, Skoglund is 2-8 with a 6.03 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 88 innings.

His salary last season was $545,000, according to Spotrac.

--Field Level Media

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