Knuckleballer gets 80-game PED ban

Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright will sit out the first 80 games of the season after testing positive for human growth hormone, a second suspension for the knuckleballer who missed 15 games last year for violating baseball’s domestic violence policy.

Wright, 34, said in a statement issued through the Major League Baseball Players Association that he learned of the positive test during the offseason.

“Although I do not dispute the validity of the test, I was shocked as I have never intentionally ingested anything for performance-enhancing purposes,” the statement said. “I have fully cooperated with MLB and will continue to try and identify the source of the result.”

The commissioner’s office said Wright tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2).

A starter for most of his career, Wright spent the bulk of last season in the bullpen, going 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 20 games. In addition to the 15-game suspension, he also missed all of April recovering from knee surgery and then went back on the disabled list with knee inflammation and missed all of August.

He did not appear in the postseason, when the Red Sox won their fourth World Series since 2004, and he had surgery on his left knee Nov. 12.

Harper scrutiny: Major League Baseball is investigating whether Phillies slugger Bryce Harper committed a tampering violation when he lobbied for Mike Trout, who isn’t a free agent for two more seasons, to join the Phillies.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said he doesn’t want players recruiting other players, a practice that has been winked at in the NBA.

“Given our rules, players recruiting other players who are still under contract or under reserve to another club is a rule violation,” Manfred said in Boston. “So, obviously not anxious to see that.”

Harper may have crossed the line when he told Philadelphia radio station 94WIP: “If you don’t think I’m gonna call Mike Trout to come to Philly in 2020, you’re crazy.”

Manfred wouldn’t say whether he thought Harper’s comments constituted tampering.

“We’re in the process of gathering information about the comments and the context in which they were made,” he said. “We’re talking to both clubs, and when we’re ready to decide whether it did or it didn’t we’ll let you know.”

Extra innings: RHP Jose Leclerc and the Rangers agreed to a $14.75 million, four-year contract, a deal that covers the seasons the closer would be eligible for salary arbitration. Leclerc became the Rangers’ closer last season and went 2-3 with a 1.56 ERA and 12 saves in 16 chances . ... 3B Alex Bregman left the Astros’ 11-5 victory over the Marlins because of back stiffness . ... Cavan Biggio, the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, homered for the first time for the Blue Jays . ... RHP Bud Norris and the Blue Jays finalized a minorleague contract. If added to the 40-man roster, he would get a $3 million salary while in the major leagues.