The fall from grace of the artist formerly known as Papa Grande continues.
Ex-Tigers closer Jose Valverde was given an 80-game suspension by the MLB on Friday for the use of performance-enhancing drugs, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN who first broke the news on Twitter. The drug in question was said to be a metabolite of Stanzolol.
The 37-year-old Valverde is currently a free agent and tested positive while in the minor leagues. Though one does technically have to be employed by the league in order to serve the suspension (which Valverde is not), it would take effect upon any potential return to the big leagues.
Stanzolol is the same drug that fellow pitchers like Ervin Santana and Jenrry Mejia have already been suspended for this season, and now Valverde is the latest to fall victim to its allure.
Valverde holds a 3.27 career ERA and has recorded 288 saves all-time. Once known for his elite ninth inning impeccability in Detroit, the wheels began to fall off for the three-time All-Star around 2013, and Valverde just proceeded to snowball from there. He last pitched in the MLB in 2014 with the Mets.
He seemed to be intent on making a comeback, but with Friday’s news, it looks like this could finally be the end of the road for Valverde’s MLB career.
Hasta luego, Papa Grande.
H/T HardballTalk
