NEW YORK Major League Baseball said on Saturday that Tres Barrera, the 19th-ranked prospect in the Nationals’ catchers, has been banned for 80 games without pay.

Barrera’s dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT) test result for the performance-enhancing substance was positive. He stated the Major League Baseball Players Association upon the announcement of the ban.

He remarked, “I am sorry to confirm that I have failed a test under MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement for DHCMT and the arbitrator has decided to uphold the suspension after conducting an appeal process.” “Everything about this—from the first failed drug test to the denial of my appeal—has surprised me immensely because I have never used and never would use a prohibited substance intentionally. I’ve invested too much time and energy in this sport to undervalue or manipulate the game I like. I would never do any action that would bring shame to my family, my teammates, my coaches, or the numerous young ball players who look up to me.

“I express my regret for the unfavorable attention this has caused to the Nationals organization, my teammates, the fans, and my family. I’ll keep looking for the answers to the numerous unanswered questions about this medication in order to clear my name and, more importantly, to stop this from occurring to anybody else. I’m excited to play baseball again and support my brothers in it.

The backstop, 25, made a hit 249 of 101 games played in Double-A Harrisburg last season, including eight home runs, 23 doubles, 46 RBIs, and 42 runs scored. After being promoted to the major leagues on September 8, he was hitless in his first two at-bats. Barrera was included in the 60-player pool of Nationals prospects for their summer Camp exercises.

2020 saw the suspension of 12 Minor Leaguers due to drug-related infractions.