ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs IF Domingo Leyba suspended 80 games for positive steroid test

Mar 6, 2020, 1:27 PM | Updated: 4:25 pm

Arizona Diamondbacks' Domingo Leyba scores on a base hit by Jarrod Dyson during the second inning o...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Domingo Leyba scores on a base hit by Jarrod Dyson during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Major League Baseball suspended Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Domingo Leyba for 80 games due to a positive test for the performance-enhancer Boldenone, the league announced Friday.

He will begin serving the suspension at the start of the 2020 season.

“We support MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement and the penalties for violating that policy,” the D-backs said in a statement. “We were disappointed to learn of this news and hope that Domingo will take the time away from the game to reflect on his actions and learn from his mistakes.”

The 24-year-old appeared in 25 games for the Diamondbacks last year, producing six runs and seven hits while batting .280 with two doubles and a triple. He split time at second base (five games), third base (one game) and shortstop (one game) and was a pinch hitter in 15 games.

Leyba spent most of the season with Triple-A Reno, where he posted 137 hits with 37 doubles and 19 home runs while slashing .300/.351/.519.

“I’m disappointed in the decision that was made by him, and I want to work through it with him. He’s a part of this organization still, and we’ve just got to make sure that while he’s on the restricted list that we walk through the situation so it doesn’t happen again, and support him through a pretty tough time.”

He is the 30th-ranked prospect in the D-backs’ farm system, according to MLB Pipeline.

Boldenone is classified as an anabolic steriod that is a banned substance in MLB. It is primarily produced for veterinary use and is mostly used on horses.

Leyba’s suspension follows the Houston Astros’ Francis Martes earning himself a 162-game ban on Feb. 17 for also testing positive for Boldenone. It was Martes’ second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.

Leyba joined the D-backs from the Detroit Tigers as part of the 2014 three-team trade involving Didi Gregorius, who went from Arizona to the New York Yankees, and Robbie Ray, who came to the Diamondbacks in the deal.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

3 hours ago

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

6 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

10 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

11 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

12 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

12 hours ago

D-backs IF Domingo Leyba suspended 80 games for positive steroid test