Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for a failed drug test that revealed performance-enhancing drugs.
Almonte was one of the front-runners in the competition in the Indians’ outfield, and was being penciled in as the Opening Day starter in center field. He had been limited this spring with back spasms but now will be away from the team for about half the regular season.
“We just found out about this today,” Indians General Manager Mike Chernoff said. “[Manager Terry Francona] and I talked with Abe as soon as we found out.