MLB notes: David Rollins suspension opens door for Tyler Olson to make Mariners
PEORIA, Ariz. – What lefty reliever David Rollins termed “one bad decision” will cost him a chance this spring to pitch his way on the Mariners’ roster.
Rollins received an 80-game suspension Friday from Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
“This (happened) when I got back from winter ball,” he said. “I was sore, and I was just trying to speed up the recovery. And just made a bad judgment.”
Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said the club was still exploring its options regarding Rollins’ status as a Rule 5 pick but plans to keep him in the organization.
“He’ll come off the 40-man roster,” Zduriencik said. “He’ll be suspended. What we will do is wait for guidance from MLB on how this will all be handled.
“But he’s our property during the 80-game suspension.”
The suspension cancels what has been a breakout spring by Rollins following his selection last December from Houston in the Rule 5 Draft. He has allowed one run and five hits in eight innings over seven appearances.
The MLB release said Rollins tested positive for Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid that is often used to build muscle mass.
Rollins’ suspension leaves rookie Tyler Olson (University, Gonzaga) and veteran Joe Saunders as the leading candidates if the Mariners choose to keep a second lefty reliever in addition to Charlie Furbush.
Olson has not allowed an earned run in 9 2/3 innings over eight appearances, while Saunders have given up nine runs and 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings in six outings.
Friday’s game
Yordano Ventura pitched seven innings of no-hit ball before being lifted because of pitch count, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 5-1 victory over the Mariners in Surprise, Arizona. on Friday night.
The Royals’ opening-day starter walked two and struck out four, facing only one batter over the minimum. Ventura, who threw 49 strikes in 88 pitches, retired the final 11 batters. The Mariners did not get a hit until Tyler Smith’s RBI single off Jason Frasor with one out in the eighth.