Mariners pitcher Rollins suspended 80 games for banned substance

MLB suspended Mariners pitcher David Rollins for 80 games after he tested positive for a banned substance, according to the Seattle Times.

Major League Baseball suspended Seattle Mariners pitcher David Rollins for 80 games after he tested positive for a banned substance, according to the Seattle Times. 

Rollins tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. He will not appeal the suspension, according to the Times. 

“It was a mistake on my part,” Rollins said. “It was very bad judgment, and I’ve been regretting it ever since. It’s been tough for me and my family. I just want to apologize to my fans, my family, the Seattle organization and everyone I’ve disappointed. I don’t want to come off as a wrong person and be labeled as a cheater. It wasn’t like that at all. I deeply regret what I did.”

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Rollins attributed the decision to an attempt to relieve soreness he felt in his throwing arm. 

Rollins personally notified GM Jack Zduriencik and manager Lloyd McClendon of his suspension. Zduriencik said he was "disappointed" in Rollins. 

Seattle acquired the 25-year-old left-hander in the Rule 5 draft in December from the Houston Astros. 

In 2014, Rollins appeared in 27 games for the Double A Corpus Christi Hooks, going 3-4 with a 3.81 ERA over 78 innings pitched.

Rollins had appeared in seven games for the Mariners in spring training so far, throwing eight innings, giving up five hits and allowing one run while striking out seven. 

- Will Green