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Mets' Robinson Cano suspended for performance-enhancing drugs again, Internet says '1st time wasn’t accident'

In 2018, Cano, who was then the Seattle Mariners second baseman, was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for furosemide

On Wednesday, November 18, New York Mets star Robinson Cano reportedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The second baseman reportedly tested positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He has reportedly been suspended for the entirety of next season. As per news reports, the 38-year-old will forfeit his $24 million salary for the upcoming season. He has two years and $48 million remaining on the deal.

"We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson's suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," team president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. "The violation is very unfortunate for him, the organization, our fans, and the sport. The Mets fully support MLB's efforts toward eliminating performance-enhancing substances from the game."

This is not the first time Cano has been caught (and suspended for) using performance-enhancing drugs, and on social media, most people seemed perplexed at how he could repeat the same thing all over again. 

Sports journalist Jared Carrabis wrote on Twitter, “It takes a special amount of stupidity and arrogance to test positive for steroids in 2020 as an established player. Minor leaguers and fringe players who are clinging to jobs as professional baseball players, I get it. Robinson Cano not once but twice? I will never understand.” Journalist Stu Cowan said, “It will be the same lies all the others who test positive say: ‘I have no idea how it got in my body ... it must have been in a supplement that wasn't properly labeled.’ Or, as Ben Johnson said: ‘Someone spiked my water bottle.’ Also, the second time Cano has tested positive."

A Twitter user said, “I like Robbie. But a second time now says the first time wasn’t an accident for me... Seattle will save some money this year not paying the Mets for a portion of Cano’s contract.” Another Mets fan said, “Damn Cano.... you risked your reputation on Roids the first time and I still loved and respected you but how could you be so irresponsible a second time... one of my favorite players.”

In 2018, Cano, who was then the Seattle Mariners second baseman, was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for furosemide, a diuretic sometimes used to hide the presence of other banned substances. Cano said at that time that he would accept the suspension. However, he said he had taken the drug inadvertently and noted it was not a performance-enhancing substance.

“This substance was given to me by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic to treat a medical ailment,” he said in a statement released by the Players Association. “While I did not realize at the time that I was given a medication that was banned, I obviously now wish that I had been more careful,” adding, “I would never do anything to cheat the rules of the game I love.”

Cano made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees on May 3, 2005. He played for them through the 2013 season. He was a member of their 2009 World Series-winning team over the Philadelphia Phillies. He played for the Seattle Mariners from 2014 through 2018.