Phillies' Johan Rojas Reportedly Facing 80-Game MLB Suspension for PED Violation

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas reportedly will be suspended 80 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances, barring appeal, according to The Athletic's Charlotte Varnes and Matt Gelb.

He was also dropped from the Dominican Republic's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic recently.

Rojas was fighting for a spot on the MLB roster before his suspension and was far more likely to start the season in Triple A, with Philly's outfield pretty set. Adolis García will start in right field, Justin Crawford in center and a platoon of Brandon Marsh and Otto Kemp in left, barring unforeseen circumstances.

Pedro León, Bryan De La Cruz and Gabriel Rincones Jr. (if he can stay healthy) are now in line to operate as the team's fifth option in the outfield, at least until Rojas returns from suspension.

Rojas is a solid option defensively and has solid speed on the base paths (51 stolen bases in three seasons), but his ability to actually get on base or contribute offensively has always prevented him from being a viable everyday starter. In 250 career games, he's hitting .252 with six homers, 73 RBI, 94 runs, a .294 on-base percentage and a .340 slugging percentage.

He's now the third member of last year's Phillies team to face a PED suspension. Last season, reliever José Alvarado was suspended 80 games and wasn't eligible for the postseason, while this winter former Phillies outfielder Max Kepler was also suspended 80 games for the upcoming season.