KANSAS CITY -- Royals left-hander Eric Skoglund, who figured to compete for a spot in the starting rotation this season, has been suspended for 80 games without pay for being in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Skoglund tested positive for Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators S-22 (Ostarine) and LGD-4033 (Ligandrol), the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced.
The 26-year-old Skoglund becomes the second Royal in less than a year to be suspended for 80 games in violation of the Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio was suspended during Spring Training in 2018.
Skoglund went 1-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) last season and likely would have competed for either a starting rotation spot or eventually a bullpen opening when camp gets underway next month.
The Royals will be able to replace Skoglund on the 40-man roster effective immediately.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore issued the following statement:
"Unfortunately, when something like this occurs, I immediately think about how much work and dedication our medical staff does communicating to the players about the importance of being careful about what they put in their bodies. I'm appreciative that professional baseball players are tested more frequently than any professional athlete, and we should all be thankful that testing is working. Eric is a tremendous young man and he unknowingly made a mistake, and he will have to accept his suspension, work hard and be ready to go after the suspension is served. We remain proud of who Eric is as a person and will support him as an organization."