NEW YORK (AP) – Chicago Cubs pitcher Anhuar Garcia was suspended for 60 games Tuesday by Major League Baseball under the minor league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Methenolone.
A 21-year-old right-hander, Garcia was 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA in six starts and one relief appearance this year for the Arizona Complex League Cubs.
He signed with the Cubs on Dec. 15 for a $10,000 bonus.
Garcia is the seventh player suspended this year for a positive test, the fifth under minor league programs. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games on March 31 and Philadelphia Phillies closer José Alvarado for 80 games on May 25 under the major league program.
In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Cubs’ fanbase and baseball circles alike, Anhuar Garcia—a highly touted pitching prospect in the Cubs’ minor league system—has been slapped with a 60-game suspension after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. The news marks a major setback not only for Garcia’s burgeoning career but also for the Cubs’ broader developmental pipeline.
Garcia, widely recognized as one of the organization’s most exciting young arms, was suspended under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. According to the announcement, he tested positive for a steroid classified as stanozolol. This substance is among the prohibited strengthening agents closely monitored by baseball authorities. The suspension is set to commence immediately, sidelining Garcia for a significant portion of the upcoming season.
At just 19 years old, Garcia emerged as a standout performer in the Dominican Summer League this past year. His impressive 1.67 ERA, earned over more than 43 innings pitched, ranked him twelfth in the league among pitchers with comparable workload—and he achieved this despite being younger than nearly all of his peers. Moreover, his 47 strikeouts paced his team, underscoring his dominance on the mound.
Aside from his numbers, Garcia’s physical profile drew attention. With a tall, athletic frame and a mid-to-upper 90s fastball complemented by a developing breaking pitch, scouts projected him as a budding future asset for the Cubs—even speculating on a potential move to the United States minor league system by season’s end .
This suspension, however, introduces serious complications. Being barred for 60 games—almost two-thirds of a typical minor league season—will disrupt Garcia’s development timeline. He’ll miss invaluable competitive innings, critical skill-building opportunities, and time spent refining his arsenal against live hitters. At this formative age, every outing counts, and being removed from the field for such an extended stretch could impede the momentum he built during the 2021–22 offseason .
But perhaps equally significant are the questions this suspension raises about Garcia’s legitimacy and character. Organizations often wonder whether a player’s standout numbers were fueled by illicit substances. Despite his obvious talent, the stain of a PED violation can shadow a player’s reputation, forcing decision-makers to re-evaluate trust and future plans concerning promotions to higher tiers—such as the Arizona Complex League or Advanced-A Myrtle Beach teams.
The Cubs’ minor league system, especially at the lower levels, features a mix of raw, high-upside players and organizational fill-ins—Garcia distinguished himself notably among the younger cohort. The organization has poured resources into his development, and the move to sign him to a more formal developmental trajectory to eventually pitch stateside hinged on his continued success and clean track record .
His suspension echoes similar incidents among young Cuban or Dominican signees, such as Oscar De La Cruz in 2018, who was suspended for 80 games when he tested positive for masking agents, and Dalbert Mosquea in 2022, who received a 56-game ban after testing positive for stanozolol. These cases highlight a troubling trend: prospects in foreign leagues sometimes turn to PEDs, whether by choice or due to pressures to quickly rise through the ranks under competitive evaluation.
Beyond Garcia’s situation, baseball’s minor league drug policy has been actively enforced. Multiple players in the Dominican Summer League have received long suspensions—ranging from 56 to 80 games—under similar circumstances. These suspensions typically take effect with the next season, disrupting off-season training and follow-up evaluation periods.
While some argue these suspensions serve as deterrents, critics say they’re too punitive for young players without robust education and support structures in place in foreign academies. Others believe they are necessary to preserve the integrity of the sport—especially in leagues where regulation and oversight are less rigid. A recent example from Reddit discussion cited: “Literally every month there’s two or three affiliated players who pop for [stanozolol] in the Dominican summer league… It’s gone down a lot lately… but that one happens all the damn time”.
Realistically, Garcia is entering a critical period. He must serve his suspension, then return to the field to regain both form and trust. The Cubs will depend heavily on his response—will he exhibit remorse, maintain peak conditioning, and regain competitive sharpness once eligible? His behavior during the suspension period may determine the organization’s confidence in nurturing his career.
Experts emphasize that a player’s future, post-suspension, is not necessarily doomed. History offers several instances where players returned to successful careers after serving their time, especially if they display commitment to clean play and improved performance. However, Garcia faces additional scrutiny, and the Cubs must deliberate carefully before re-advancing him in their system.
The ripple effects of this development extend beyond Garcia, affecting the broader minor league community and the Cubs’ talent development strategy. The front office will likely examine internal protocols, ramp up educational initiatives around banned substances, and assess compliance measures. They may also use this as a teaching moment for other prospects, emphasizing adherence to MLB’s drug policy and the career risks involved.
In summary, Anhuar Garcia’s suspension is a major discredit to his burgeoning reputation. Once celebrated as a rising star with electric stuff and significant upside, he now faces a long road toward redemption. The disruption to valuable developmental time, combined with tarnished credibility, threatens to slow or alter his path. Garcia and the Cubs must now focus on rebuilding, with his response—both on and off the field—shaping whether this setback is a mere misstep or a defining moment in a promising career.
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