Seattle star Cano gets 80-game ban

Seattle Mariners all-star second baseman Robinson Cano was suspended 80 games for violating baseball’s joint drug agreement.

The league announced Cano’s suspension Tuesday, a stunning development for the stalwart in the middle of the Mariners’ lineup and a club expected to contend for a postseason spot in the American League. Cano tested positive for Furosemide, a diuretic. In a statement released through the players’ association, Cano said, “This substance was given to me by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic to treat a medical ailment.” He said he didn’t realize it was banned.

Cano is the most prominent player to be busted since Melky Cabrera was suspended in 2012 while leading the National League in hitting.

There have been 36 players suspended this year under the minor league drug program and six in addition to Cano under the big league program.

If no games are postponed, Cano would be eligible to return Aug. 14 at Oakland.

Furosemide, sold under the name Lasix, can be purchased without a prescription and is used to treat high blood pressure and fluid buildup. It is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances.

Wainwright returns to the DL: The St. Louis Cardinals have placed Adam Wainwright back on the 10day disabled list after the right-hander struggled with velocity in his last start and said he needed “to pause and get it right.”

The 36-year-old Wainwright also was on the DL with elbow inflammation before returning Sunday in San Diego. But he lasted just 21⁄3 innings in the Cardinals’ 5-3 loss to the Padres.

Wainwright is 1-3 with a 4.00 ERA in four starts this season.