Two Minor League baseball players of Caribbean descent were formally suspended after violating MLB’s drug prevention program and policies. This time, Dominican pitcher Raudi Pérez and Venezuelan-descendant player Francisco Rivero were each handed 56-game suspensions for the 2027 season. The information was announced on the afternoon of October 2, 2026.

Each year, Major League Baseball takes punishments in these types of cases increasingly seriously. News of this nature has also become more common, particularly involving prospects from the Caribbean region. These situations have had a greater impact in the Dominican Republic, where one of the players involved developed his career.

"Emily Waldon, a reporter for Baseball America, confirmed the news through her social media account on X: “FA MiLB P Raudi Pérez and Nationals Rookie League C Francisco Rivero have each received a 56-game suspension after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance.”

Who is Raudi Pérez?

Raudi Pérez is a pitcher from Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic. During the 2026 international signing period, he reached an agreement with the San Diego Padres and began his Minor League career in the Dominican Summer League (DSL). However, his performance on the mound was not particularly strong, and the California organization released him on September 10.

DSL Padres Brown and DSL Padres Gold were the affiliates for which the young Dominican pitcher played during his time in the Minor Leagues. He did not record a single win during the season and finished with four losses. He also posted a 7.09 earned run average. Pérez initially worked as a reliever, but eventually moved into a starting role and did not produce strong numbers there either.

At the time of his suspension, Pérez was not part of a Major League organization, meaning his punishment will take effect once he signs a new contract. Even so, the situation does not put him in an advantageous position considering that, along with his statistical record, the suspension could affect his chances of attracting interest from other organizations.

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Who is Francisco Rivero?

Francisco Rivero is a catcher born in Arizona who has Venezuelan ancestry. Although he spent several years living and training in Venezuela, MLB did not allow him to enter the international signing market because of his place of birth. The Washington Nationals later selected him in the 15th round of the 2026 MLB Draft with a $250,000 signing bonus, according to information reviewed on Spotrac.

Of the two cases, Rivero's is the more unusual because he did not play a single game in 2026, yet he tested positive during the drug testing process. As a result, his suspension will begin in 2027 once he is activated by any Washington Nationals Minor League affiliate.

“My father decided that he saw something special in me. Something told him that I was going to be somebody important in baseball,” Francisco Rivero told Michael Lev of Tucson during his pursuit of an opportunity to sign with an MLB organization.

However, those previous statements now contrast with the current situation surrounding the Minor Leaguer, whose immediate future will be affected by the suspension. After signing with the Nationals, Rivero faced the challenge of proving his talent, but the positive test has created an early setback.

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What the situation means for their futures

The situation is complicated for both players. Raudi Pérez will have to earn the trust of a new organization if he wants to continue his development as a prospect and move past the numbers he posted in 2026. His path forward will be particularly challenging because, once he signs, he will immediately have to serve his suspension.

Meanwhile, Francisco Rivero, who already has an organization committed to him, will be limited in his availability. The Nationals will have to wait before evaluating the performance of the Venezuelan-descendant catcher in an official Minor League game.

Both Stanozolol and Boldenone are substances prohibited by MLB and violate the league's sports regulations. These anabolic steroids can promote muscle growth and accelerate recovery from physical fatigue. Their use goes against MLB's rules and the principles of fair play in professional baseball.

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