The Houston Astros have lost one of their pitching prospects due to a failed drug test on Tuesday in youngster Francis Martes.

Martes tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug Clomiphene and will be suspended for 80 games whenever he returns from injury as he's recovering from Tommy John.

The drug was an anti-estrogen substance that's used in fertility treatments and is used by men to accelerate their testosterone production. Its use is to be taken with steroids to inhibit estrogen problems.

In a Statement today the Astros said,

"we hope that Francis can learn from this experience and that he returns to have a successful career."

Francis Martes is now 23 years old and was in the big leagues in 2017 as he was 5-2 in 32 appearances with four starts and pitching to a 5.80 ERA. He's a big strikeout pitcher as he struck out 69 batters in 54.1 innings pitched while walking 31.

Last season he made four starts in April for Triple-A Fresno, hurt his elbow and made a one-inning injury rehab appearance in a game for the Gulf Coast Astros on August 2. Shortly thereafter he elected to have Tommy John surgery on August 15 and was expected to miss most or all of the 2019 season.

 

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