Blue Jays prospect Thomas Pannone receives 80-game suspension

Kaylee Pofahl

Blue Jays prospect Thomas Pannone receives 80-game suspension image

Blue Jays prospect Thomas Pannone has been suspended 80 games without pay after the left-handed pitcher tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, the league announced Friday. 

The anabolic steroid dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, commonly known as DHCMT, was found in Pannone's urine. Former Blue Jays first basemen Chris Colabello tested positive for the same substance in 2016. 

The 23-year-old's suspension will begin at the start of the 2018 regular season and run well into June.

In a statement on Twitter, Pannone declared that he's determined to prove his innocence. 

Toronto's general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement that he, too, was surprised by the results of Pannone's drug test. 

Ranked the No. 26 prospect in the Blue Jays' farm system by MLB Pipeline, Pannone was expected to start the year off in Triple-A. He was competing with fellow prospect Ryan Borucki to become the first starter called up to the Majors in the event of injury. 

Splitting time between Single-A Advanced and AA, Pannone combined for a 9-3 record with a 2.36 ERA last season. He was optioned to Minor League Spring Training earlier this week after making three appearances down in Florida for Toronto. 

 

Kaylee Pofahl