Former Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramírez has tested positive for multiple anabolic steroids following his appearance at the World Baseball Classic in March, the International Testing Agency announced Wednesday.
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Ramírez, 44, tested positive for metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol, according to the agency. He has been provisionally suspended from competition.
The sample was collected during the tournament, where Ramírez made history as the oldest player to appear in a World Baseball Classic game. He returned to Cuba's roster two decades after first representing the country on the international stage.
The Switzerland-based ITA said the substances detected are commonly associated with muscle growth, increased strength and enhanced performance.
Ramírez played nine seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily with the White Sox from 2008 to 2015, before brief stints with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. He was the runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year in 2008, finishing behind Evan Longoria, and earned an All-Star selection in 2014.
Over his MLB career, Ramírez posted a .246 batting average with 115 home runs and 590 RBIs.
An Olympic gold medalist with Cuba in 2004, Ramírez also helped the national team win silver at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Cuba did not advance beyond the pool stage in this year's tournament.
The case adds a notable development to Ramírez's late-career return to international play.
