Athletics:

AROUND THE HORN

Athletics center fielder Ramón Laureano was suspended for 80 games without pay by the commissioner’s office Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The commissioner’s office said Laureano tested positive for Nandrolone in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension is effective immediately. “I would never knowingly ingest any banned substance and put the game that I’ve loved all my life at risk. When I found out that I tested positive for Nandrolone, I was shocked,” Laureano said in a statement released by the players’ union. “I take great care of my body and have an extremely regimented diet. Based on the minuscule amount that was briefly in my body, I’ve learned that it is likely that it was contamination of something I ingested. I have been educated about PEDS through the RBI program and Baseball Factory while growing up. I know I don’t need any of that to perform on the baseball field. All my athletic success has come from my hard work, focus and dedication to the game.” The penalty came down just more than four hours before the A’s were to begin a weekend series at home against the Rangers. “The A’s were disappointed to learn of this suspension. We fully support MLB’S Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and we will welcome Ramón back after the discipline has been served,” the A’s said in a statement.

Indians: Shane Bieber is determined to pitch again this season. Cleveland’s ace and the reigning AL Cy Young winner, who has been out since early June with shoulder soreness, was encouraged after throwing in the outfield Friday and said he wants to get back on the mound in 2021. Bieber began playing catch from 90 feet before moving to 60 feet, where he said he “got on” a couple throws. Afterward, his smile signaled success. “Today was a good day,” he told reporters after the session. “The last two days have been good days as well and I think that’s what it’s all about, being able to stack good days together and continue to progress.” Bieber doesn’t have a timeline on a return this season, but the 26-year-old’s hoping that he can pitch — whether that means throwing a few innings or making several starts. He’s taking a longterm approach, and so are the Indians, who don’t want to take any chances with the All-star. Bieber hasn’t missed this much time since his freshman year in college, and the right-hander said it’s been mentally tough not being able to help his teammates. “I’ve been throwing every five or seven days since then (college), so this has been tough, mentally, for sure,” he said. “I was also told a few times this isn’t a timeline thing, this is a day by day thing, so we’ll see.”

Brewers: Pitcher Adrian Houser has become the latest Brewers player to test positive for the coronavirus. But the Brewers also finally have a bit of good news as they continue dealing with issues related to the virus. Outfielder Christian Yelich is eligible to come off the COVID-19 injured list and says he’s feeling fine. “It’s not like I was super sick or anything,” Yelich said. “It was just, ‘I’m not allowed to do anything.’ I felt fine very quickly. I felt like I did right now on day two. I felt like I had a cold coming on for a day or two, and after that I had a stuffy nose, and by day three to four, I was fine again. I couldn’t taste or smell for a while. That was probably the worst part. It’s still not all the way back. Other than that, it was all good.”