Article: Santana Suspension Raises Concerning Questions

[Nick Nelson]

Following a spring that featured surprisingly few injuries or setbacks, the Minnesota Twins received the ultimate gut punch just three days before their season opener: Ervin Santana, the most expensive free agent signing in franchise history, tested positive for steroids, and will sit out three months on a suspension.

 

Losing Santana for such a long period of time is a blow, lessening the probable quality of the rotation, but the real concerns here are related to motive.

 

Even if you take him at this word that he doesn't know how the substance got into his body, why did Santana consume anything he wasn't 100 percent on? What pushed the 10-year veteran to take any such type of risk at this point in his career?Stanozolol, the drug for which the right-hander tested positive, is an anabolic steroid but not one that is associated with big, rippling muscles. It increases red blood cell production and thus allows for faster recovery and reduced injury occurrence.

 

In a 2005 ESPN article covering the substance after Rafael Palmeiro's positive test, an expert said Stanozolol "could help a player avoid serious injury because it helps the body recover from physical stress."

 

Although he has been an extremely durable pitcher, logging an average of almost 190 innings per season since reaching the majors at age 22, Santana did have a notable scare with his right elbow ligament a while back.

 

In 2009, he was diagnosed with a sprain -- in other words, a partial tear -- and missed the first six weeks. He never required surgery, came back and made every start the rest of the way, then threw 450 innings over the next two seasons.

 

It was an impressive bounce-back and a seemingly rare instance where the "rest and rehab" route worked out perfectly, but with Santana throwing so many innings before and after that sprain, aging into his mid-30s, and coming off a season where the stakes were as high for him personally as they have been at any point in his career, one can't help but wonder if he's finding it harder to keep that arm going, to the point where he'd turn to a substance he couldn't fully trust -- one that has now cost him dearly.

 

This is all purely speculation, and that's all we'll get because beyond the generic press releases, there will be no details publicized about what Santana took, why he took it and what his goals were.

 

But the hurler's lifetime workload was already somewhat of a red flag to begin with. While the Twins have touted his innings total -- 10th-highest of anyone since his debut in 2005 -- as a resounding positive, one could easily argue the opposite. That's a lot of wear.

 

If there's a bright side to this whole thing, it's that Santana's well-weathered arm will get a lengthy respite. Perhaps this added break, at this point in his career, will help make him more effective over the remainder of the contract.

 

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[TheLeviathan]

I was behind the signing at the time, but man this story torpedoes my optimism simply because of the injury angle.

[clutterheart]

Well this is just great. What a bummer this has all become.

[Lakeside]

Question---if it can be proven on the length of time that Santana has taken the illicit steroid and lied on his physical exam question about it. . . then . . . . is it in the Twins best interests (from both a competitive motive and also from an ethical motive) to attempt to have the contract ruled null and void??

 

What are your thoughts??

[Lakeside]

Another Question --- The results were just announced, but do we know when the test was administered?  Was it during last season or during Spring Training?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Another Question --- The results were just announced, but do we know when the test was administered?  Was it during last season or during Spring Training?

I haven't heard this info either but if my hazy memory is correct, testing is done just before Spring Training games begin (sometime in late February or very early March).

[Han Joelo]

This would support my theory about the fifth starter race: they knew about the likely suspension all along and picked Millone to boost his confidence. Then TR fessed up in the closed door meeting.

[DaveW]

MLB needs to rethink their stance on some of these PEDs, if all it is doing is helping him recover from an injury, I don't see the moral dilemma. This isn't roids where he is suddenly throwing 4 MPH harder etc

Edited April 5, 2015 by SpiritofVodkaDave

[DaveW]

This would support my theory about the fifth starter race: they knew about the likely suspension all along and picked Millone to boost his confidence. Then TR fessed up in the closed door meeting.

Yup, which is why Pelfrey was "cool" with it all if a sudden.

[DaveW]

Question---if it can be proven on the length of time that Santana has taken the illicit steroid and lied on his physical exam question about it. . . then . . . . is it in the Twins best interests (from both a competitive motive and also from an ethical motive) to attempt to have the contract ruled null and void??

 

What are your thoughts??

It would never happen, if it could then A Rod would have been gone long ago from the Yankees.

[Thrylos]

 

This isn't roids

 

Testosterone analogs, like Stanozolol, are the definition of anabolic steroids (aka 'roids)

[DaveW]

Testosterone analogs, like Stanozolol, are the definition of anabolic steroids (aka 'roids)

Ah. I didn't realize exactly what he tested hot for.

 

Should have just gotten a little HGH I suppose.

[Platoon]

According to Ruesse, this is not something you can take by mistake. It's only sold as a vetinarian supplement here. But his column is the only one where I have saw that particular fact, or non fact, whichever it is!

[Thrylos]

 

According to Ruesse, this is not something you can take by mistake. It's only sold as a vetinarian supplement here. But his column is the only one where I have saw that particular fact, or non fact, whichever it is!

 

It is a fact. 

[Danchat]

 

This would support my theory about the fifth starter race: they knew about the likely suspension all along and picked Millone to boost his confidence. Then TR fessed up in the closed door meeting.

 

I have a feeling that the Twins didn't know about this. Why would Santana keep getting starts during spring training? I think the Twins were just as surprised as we were, but I don't have any concrete proof.

[Old Twins Cap]

It's good to have facts, and I think some things are out in the public on the Santana situation.  But some things are not.  Like, why, for a seemingly pretty successful MLB hurler, did he jump to four teams in four years?  Was the word out on Santana, generally, across MLB?  Is that why the Twins were able to sign him? 

 

In other words, is the MLB drug testing regimen a little bit, not sure of the word, flexible... or loose when it comes to catching violators?  Such that, it could be several years before someone with a taste for PEDs gets caught? 

 

I tell you what.  This drug-testing process, with free-agents and signings, and all the economic incentives to cheat and for teams to spend dearly for high--performers, this is ripe for a lot of abuse and political decisions and second-chances and for teams and commissioners to negotiate and re-negotiate. 

 

I don't think MLB is quite clear of PED use and the integrity of baseball quite yet.

[jimmer]

Yadier Molina's framing just got a strikeout of Rizzo on a ball 3 inches off the plate.

Edited April 6, 2015 by jimmer

[jimbo92107]

It's possible that there's an ethical gray area here, at least from Ervin Santana's perspective. He might have bought some "stuff" from a buddy that told him it would help him recover from arm soreness, but then decided not to ask his buddy what was in it. Sure 'nuff, it worked. Also sure 'nuff, it was steroids.

 

I do agree with one commenter that baseball may be too harsh on players that are using PEDs to recover from injuries. It's a shame that a fine pitcher like Santana reaches a point where it hurts more and more to do what they love, which is making a baseball duck and dance past major league hitters. If Santana suddenly was hurling it at 96 or 98mph, then it would seem more unfair, but he was just zipping it in at his usual velocity.

 

On the other hand, baseball has always been a young man's game. By taking steroids, Santana beat out guys like May and Meyer, who now spend more of their careers in AAA. Also, this might explain why the Twins were able to sign Santana, when we all know that the Twins usually are last in line for top pitchers. Why did the big boys back off from Santana? Maybe this explains it.

[Willihammer]

 

It's possible that there's an ethical gray area here, at least from Ervin Santana's perspective. He might have bought some "stuff" from a buddy that told him it would help him recover from arm soreness, but then decided not to ask his buddy what was in it. Sure 'nuff, it worked. Also sure 'nuff, it was steroids.

If true that would be incredibly stupid. He's either a liar or an idiot and he doesn't seem like an idiot IMO.

[70charger]

 

I do agree with one commenter that baseball may be too harsh on players that are using PEDs to recover from injuries. It's a shame that a fine pitcher like Santana reaches a point where it hurts more and more to do what they love, which is making a baseball duck and dance past major league hitters. If Santana suddenly was hurling it at 96 or 98mph, then it would seem more unfair, but he was just zipping it in at his usual velocity.

 

 

I think this is an interesting question too, for recovery aids like growth hormone, taken out of competition, like when on the DL. But testosterone or anabolic steroids are just a bridge too far.

[TNTwinsFan]

Does any one know whether a team can drug test FAs before signing? Maybe there could be a NDA where the results are only known by the team and the FA? If this type of policybis already in place and was not employed by the Twins, well, that's their own fault. But, it seems like all the burden of testing is on some other regulatory body or MLB. Can anyone clear this up for me?

[diehardtwinsfan]

MLB needs to rethink their stance on some of these PEDs, if all it is doing is helping him recover from an injury, I don't see the moral dilemma. This isn't roids where he is suddenly throwing 4 MPH harder etc

I'm with you on this one. I think Roids used in recovery situations should never be off the table. We all take those from time to time. One really good example is Prednazone. Granted, prolonged usage can be dangerous, but that's up to the player and the doctor.

 

Now side note, I'm no expert on this drug and whether or not it would be used solely for recovery, so I'm not trying to defend Santana. He knew what he was taking.

[davidc3915]

I liked the signing at the time but in the back of my mind would have preferred McCarthy. Now I really prefer McCarthy. The whole thing is just a bummer. What bothers me the most is, faced with this situation, knowing internally that this isn't "the year", why not bring up May and let him build up MLB innings? Unless this is a case of building up Millone and Pelfrey to flip them in July...

[tobi0040]

jimmer,

 

In the two innings I watched last night, the announcers talked a great deal about how big the strike zone was all game and for both sides.

[tobi0040]

 

It is a fact. 

 

I am sure a reasonable explanation for this exists. For instance, maybe Ervin does not like taking pills.  So one day his wife is crushing up his legal medication and his dogs Wistrol into applesauce, and then simply mixes up the applesauce.

 

If I had a dollar every time I took ate a hot dog from the fridge and it had a heart worm pill inside it....

[TheLeviathan]

 

If I had a dollar every time I took ate a hot dog from the fridge and it had a heart worm pill inside it....

 

Well, at least you don't have heart worms!

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

It seems very simple on the surface... If you are a pro athlete, you have to be aware of what you are ingesting.

 

It's also hard to comprehend how athletes end up driving drunk when they have the money to have personal drivers... I mean, at least they could call a cab?

 

With injury recovery, a player is probably taking advice from a doctor or trainer - I want to know if somebody that Santana trusted gave him stanozolol without his knowledge. He could be telling the truth, but still be 100% guilty.

 

Do you know all of the ingredients in everything you eat? In every supplement or pill? In everything your doctor prescribes?

 

Granted, Steroids are a much bigger deal, and as it has been pointed out before, pretty much impossible to take accidentally. But trainers and doctors for professional sports teams (as well as the trainers, doctors, and nutritionists that pro athletes have contact with) maybe have a different level of access to this stuff than your local GP doctor.

 

I don't know the answer to prevent something like this - a team can tell its players to only take things provided by the team, but the team can't (and probably shouldn't) watch these players all of the time... Just such a bummer all the way around.

 

[REPETE]

I have often thought the "roid" policy has gone too far.  I'm all for banning substances that make huge arms & bulging foreheads, but if i twist my knee, and go to the doctor, what do they prescribe?  Steroids!  So a fat, out of shape guy that gets hurt getting off his couch can take something to go to work without pain, but guys playing sports 162 games per year can't take something to keep them on the field?

These are the type of things that keep guys on the field, which in turn, keeps people sitting in the stands.  Who wants to go watch Doug Bernier playing MLB because the young guy in front of him twisted an ankle and is out for 2 weeks, when the guy working at the post office can be back doing his route in 1? (nothing personal towards the post office or it's workers, mind you).

[tobi0040]

 

I have often thought the "roid" policy has gone too far.  I'm all for banning substances that make huge arms & bulging foreheads, but if i twist my knee, and go to the doctor, what do they prescribe?  Steroids!  So a fat, out of shape guy that gets hurt getting off his couch can take something to go to work without pain, but guys playing sports 162 games per year can't take something to keep them on the field?

These are the type of things that keep guys on the field, which in turn, keeps people sitting in the stands.  Who wants to go watch Doug Bernier playing MLB because the young guy in front of him twisted an ankle and is out for 2 weeks, when the guy working at the post office can be back doing his route in 1? (nothing personal towards the post office or it's workers, mind you).

 

When doctors prescribe you or I steriods, they are typically a measured dose, for a specific instance (like you twisting your knee) , and for a short period of time. Not to mention most are illegal unless prescribed by a doctor.

 

When an MLB player seeks these, very few of these safeguards exist. 

 

And I think that it is about an edge. So if Wistrol was legal, the Ervin Santana's of the world would seek something that works harder and is more effective than the Wistrol everyone else is using

 

Edited April 6, 2015 by tobi0040

[Mike Sixel]

I think all drugs should be not banned........someday we'll take something like HGH to live healthier longer, and people will just laugh that we used to ban stuff that actually helps athletes recover and be healthy (or even get an edge).