The Los Angeles Dodgers’ losing skid quickly took a back seat on Thursday night with the news Miami Marlins All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for performance-enhancing drugs.
Gordon reportedly learned of his failed test during Spring Training, but didn’t drop his appeal until after the Marlins’ first ever four-game sweep of the Dodgers. In a statement released, Gordon claimed he unknowingly ingested the two banned substances.
That Gordon, and others who have gone through the appeal process, remain eligible to play is a point of contention in some circles. Clayton Kershaw recently said he’d support improved testing if it meant catching all PED users.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Friday he didn’t take much issue with that aspect, due to it being collectively bargained. However, the rookie skipper did say he was shocked by the suspension.
“He’s a great kid, he works hard and he’s got a lot of good things. To hear this late [Thursday] night was a surprise to many and a lot of people in (our) clubhouse were here when [Gordon] was here,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers did explore taking action over Gordon remaining eligible throughout the series, but didn’t find any recourse. Roberts acknowledged there were different reactions to the suspension.
“Some players (reacted calmly) and some players were upset,” he said. You you see social media and some guys were outspoken about things and some guys not so much. I didn’t pull the clubhouse, so I can only kind of speak to how I felt.”
The Dodgers held a closed-door team meeting prior to Friday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres. Gordon’s suspension was not discussed, Roberts said. He came away from the meeting with a positive feeling, though the Dodgers went on to struggle in a fifth consecutive loss.
