Red Sox Journal: Steven Wright suspended 80 games

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Steven Wright found out Tuesday night he will be suspended for 80 games without pay this season and will be ineligible for postseason contention after violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Agreement by testing positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2).

The knuckleballer failed the drug test in the off-season and appealed findings, though to no avail.

"It’s unfortunate," Wright said. "I [...]

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Steven Wright found out Tuesday night he will be suspended for 80 games without pay this season and will be ineligible for postseason contention after violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Agreement by testing positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2).

The knuckleballer failed the drug test in the off-season and appealed findings, though to no avail.

“It’s unfortunate,” Wright said. “I never thought it’d come down to this, but I respect the Joint Drug (Prevention and) Treatment program. Unfortunately, we couldn’t figure out how this particular substance got into my system. At the end of the day, it falls on me to try to prevent that. And unfortunately, somewhere it got into my body and I don’t know how. It is what it is and I’ve just got to try to move on from it.”

Wright has dealt with left knee issues since 2017, when he was forced to have surgery. The righty explained he did not knowingly take anything to help expedite the recovery process.

“No, honestly, I did all the treatment that I do with the (physical therapists) and nothing has changed. That’s what’s frustrating about it. I worked my butt off this off-season since getting the surgery. I feel like I’m in a good spot. From an off-season drug test this comes up. I’ve been dealing with it. At the end of the day, it falls on me, regardless of what, even if I could figure out how it got into my system, it’s still on me to try to prove that it was unintentional. Unfortunately, I can’t because I don’t know where it came from. But I respect the program; I think it’s a great thing for the game. And I’m just going to serve the suspension and just try to utilize the time off to get healthier.”

Wright stated multiple times the ordeal “falls on me,” while also getting across he did not take GHRP-2 intentionally.

“With this, I know the truth,” Wright said. “People close to me know I wouldn’t intentionally do this to try to get the upper hand, but it’s unfortunate. But it is what it is. I knew it was coming. I wanted to do everything I could to try to figure out how it got into the system, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, it was in there. I can’t dispute that. I trust the testing; they do an amazing job of finding guys that are doing it. But unfortunately, sometimes things can get in your system and that’s what happened with me, but it’s one of those things, like, I try (to) stay (as) positive as I can. I feel like (there) could be a positive through this and just utilize the time off, although it’s unfortunate. But I can use it to my benefit.

This leaves Alex Cora and the Red Sox down another reliever, having lost Joe Kelly to free agency and Craig Kimbrel still looking for a contract that Boston isn’t willing to provide.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed, but we’ll give (Wright) the support that he needs. He’s still part of the organization,” Cora said. “Obviously, it’s something that we didn’t expect, but we’ll adjust … Somebody’s going to step up and they’re going to perform and they’re going to help us out.”

Pedroia debut

Dustin Pedroia will put his knee through the biggest test on Thursday as the Red Sox second baseman is set to make his first appearance in a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins. The roster’s longest tenured player missed almost all of last season due to issues with his left knee, playing in only three games with the team, along with five in Pawtucket.

Pedroia said in February he wouldn’t have had the surgery on his left knee had he known what he does now. The main focus is to make progress, which has been the case.

“So far so good. (Pedroia) showed up (Wednesday), he feels good,” Cora said. “Everything that he did in the training room (was) good.”

The focus for Pedroia is how he feels and bounces back from his first bit of action.

“Just for him to go through the progression and then the next day to feel better and little by little keep adding innings,” Cora said. “I hate to set a schedule for him, but if everything goes well tomorrow and he reacts OK in the upcoming days, then he’ll play Saturday and we’ll treat him like a regular guy.”

When it comes to Pedroia being ready to go on Opening Day, the Red Sox will let his knee decide. But they won’t rush the process to ensure he’s available to start the year. In fact, he likely won’t play a full game in Florida.

“He doesn’t need to play nine (innings) here. Last year, talking to the medical staff and everything, I mentioned it (Tuesday), we don’t play them nine here in spring training. They’re going to play nine in Arizona. If he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go.”

Pirates win

The Pittsburgh Pirates took a trip from their facility in Bradenton, Fla., to take on the Red Sox at JetBlue Park and ran away with a 6-1 win on Wednesday.

Tyler Thornburg and Colten Brewer, two relievers who have the chance at an increased role with Wright’s suspension, each pitched an inning in the loss. Brewer worked a clean fifth, striking out two, whereas Thornburg had another tough outing, giving up two hits, two walks and a run.

The starting lineup was filled with regulars. Among them, only Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts and Sandy Leon had hits — the only hits for any Red Sox hitters.