Oakland's Ramon Laureano suspended 80 games for PED violation

The Oakland Athletics are likely even more grateful they acquired Starling Marte ahead of the trade deadline. 

MLB confirmed Friday that Oakland outfielder Ramon Laureano has been suspended 80 games without pay for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Nandrolone. The ban is effective immediately and will make Laureano ineligible for postseason play, per Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports. 

"The A’s were disappointed to learn of this suspension," the club said in a statement shared by the league. "We fully support MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and we will welcome Ramon back after the discipline has been served."

Laureano was slashing 246/.317/.443 with 14 home runs and 39 RBI heading into Friday evening. The 27-year-old explained via a statement shared by the MLB Players Association:

"I would never knowingly ingest any banned substance and put the game that I've loved all my life at risk. When I found out that I tested positive for nandrolone, I was shocked. I take great care of my body and have an extremely regimented diet. Based on the minuscule amount that was briefly in my body, I've learned that it is likely that it was a contamination of something I ingested.

"I have been educated about PEDs through the RBI program and Baseball Factory while growing up. I know I don't need any of that to perform on the baseball field. All my athletic success has come from my hard work, focus and dedication to the game.

"I'd like to apologize for the distraction that this might cause my teammates, Billy Beane, David Forst, and the entire Oakland organization, community and fan base. I am devastated. Anyone who truly knows me as a person knows how much I love the game and that I would never intentionally do something like this." 

As noted by ESPN, the previously mentioned Marte was popped for Nandrolone in the spring of 2017. 

Oakland began Friday at 61-48 and in second place in the American League West standings, four games back of the first-place Houston Astros.