After several weeks of waiting for a verdict, the Philadelphia Phillies finally received news on Monday, March 16, regarding outfielder Johan Rojas‘ pending 80-game suspension for a PED violation.
MLB announced the 25-year-old outfielder will be suspended without pay for the use of Boldenone. The punishment will begin at the start of the 2026 regular season. For the Phillies, that will be an Opening Day matchup against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, March 26.
Rojas had appealed the suspension in early March, and minimal information had trickled out since then. The official announcement puts an end to any appeal efforts. Philadelphia will be without Rojas for the first half of the year.
Philadelphia Phillies News Update: Johan Rojas Officially Suspended 80 Games for PEDs
The suspension not only bars Rojas from the first 80 games of the regular season, but it also makes him ineligible for the playoffs. “The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today’s news of Johan’s violation,” the organization shared in a statement. Philadelphia went through a similar situation last year with left-hander Jose Alvarado getting popped for a positive drug test.
Rojas scuffled to a 58 wRC+ in 71 games last season. He was splitting time in center field with Brandon Marsh until the Phillies landed Harrison Bader in a deal with the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline. While Rojas struggled at the plate, he delivered strong work with the glove. The outfielder recorded 4 Defensive Runs Saved across 418.2 innings in the outfield. Rojas has racked up 22 DRS in three big-league seasons.
With Bader signing with the San Francisco Giants, Rojas was looking at part-time work in an outfield that will include Marsh, Adolis Garcia, and top prospect Justin Crawford. He would’ve likely come off the bench as a defensive replacement in most scenarios. If Crawford faltered, Rojas had a chance to assume more regular playing time.
Who Will Replace Johan Rojas on the Phillies Roster?
The absence of Rojas opens up. competition for the fourth outfielder job. It also gives several candidates the chance to compete for the final spot on the 26-man roster. Otto Kemp and Edmundo Sosa are locked in as bench options, and both could chip in as outfielders. With Marsh and Crawford being left-handed, the Phillies will need right-handed bats to fill in against southpaws. Neither Kemp nor Sosa has extensive experience on the grass, though.
The leading man for the final roster spot seems to be veteran Dylan Moore. The longtime Seattle Mariners utilityman has hit just .185 in Spring Training, but brings the type of versatility that would help fill out the roster. Moore has generated 14 DRS in his career as a left fielder. He spent time at all four infield positions, plus center and right field, last season.
A surprising name in the race for the last big-league job was Keaton Anthony. The first base prospect was getting reps in the outfield in an effort to make the club. He’s never played the outfield as a professional, but his bat seems to be big-league ready. Unfortunately, Anthony broke his foot, eliminating him from the camp battle.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Phillies Get News Update on Outfielder Facing Major Suspension appeared first on Heavy Sports.