Cleveland Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the office of the commissioner announced Friday.
Almonte’s suspension is effective at the start of the 2016 campaign.
“We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Abraham Almonte for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Indians said in a statement. “We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from our game.”
Almonte, 26, was acquired from the San Diego Padres last July 31 and batted .264 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 51 games. He played well in center field and was expected to make the club as a backup outfielder this season.
Almonte has a .244 career average in parts of three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Padres and Indians.
—The Chicago Cubs signed veteran outfielder Shane Victorino to a minor league deal, according to published reports.
Victorino received an invitation to the big-league camp and will earn $1 million in salary if he makes the team. He reportedly can achieve up to another $1 million in performance bonuses.
Victorino, 35, has battled injuries in recent seasons and batted .230 in 71 games last season while splitting time between the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.
—The Texas Rangers re-signed outfielder Drew Stubbs to a minor league contract.
Stubbs, 31, is expected to join Saturday’s spring training workouts in Surprise, Ariz., as the Rangers look to add depth in the outfield.
A sore left knee will force Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton to the disabled list for the start of the 2016 season. Hamilton is expected to be out for two months while recovering and working his way back.
Stubbs is a seven-year veteran who finished last season with the Rangers, going 2-for-21 (.095) in 27 games. Stubbs was used as a pinch runner and a defensive replacement during the postseason.
—The Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with outfielder Will Venable on a minor league contract.
Venable was expected to sign the contract after he undergoes a physical. The deal includes an invitation to camp.
Venable, 33, will compete for a backup outfield position on a team that won’t have its best outfielder when the season begins. Michael Brantley is still recovering from shoulder surgery and expected to miss the first few weeks of the season.
Venable batted .244 with six homers and 33 RBIs last season while splitting time with the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.