Key Piece in Corey Kluber Trade Suspended 80 Games for Banned Performance-Enhancing Substance
By Adam Weinrib
Somehow, the Corey Kluber salary dump just became more lopsided for Cleveland.
Emmanuel Clase, the hard-throwing reliever who headlined the package sent to the Tribe in exchange for their former ace, has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, and will be suspended for 80 games.
Emmanuel Clase, the Indians' key piece in the Corey Kluber trade with TEX, has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance.
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) May 1, 2020
Unfortunately for Clase, that might also be the duration of the shortened MLB season in 2020.
The Indians have also released a statement, which covers the bases of the latest news.
Indians reliever Emmanuel Clase has been suspended for 80 games for testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing drug. The suspension won’t begin until the start of the 2020 season.
— Ryan Lewis (@ByRyanLewis) May 1, 2020
The Indians have issued the following organizational statement: pic.twitter.com/BXf4cVn4iu
Clase, who often reaches 100+ with his electric fastball, debuted spectacularly out of Texas' bullpen late in 2019, racking up 21 Ks in 23.1 innings pitched, posting an ERA of only 2.31. With plenty of opportunities available in the Cleveland bullpen, this is an exceptional bummer. Clase could've slotted in behind Nick Wittgren, and could even have spurred a middling Tribe team to trade closer Brad Hand at the deadline, if he'd shown he could handle the duties.
Instead, the only active members of the Kluber package at the start of 2020 will be speedster Delino DeShields Jr., as well as the Klubot himself, who's looking to make a name for himself once more in the Texas heat.