Story perspectives

Swiss Agency Suspends 44-Year-Old Ramirez for Four Anabolic Steroids

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 29, a Swiss agency announced that 44-year-old Cuban Alexei Ramirez tested positive for four anabolic steroids, prompting a provisional suspension.
Ramirez’s A-sample, which contained mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol, may be followed by a B-sample request and a four-year ban through age 48.
He logged a WBC—a strikeout in a 4-1 loss to Puerto Rico—and played for the Chicago White Sox (2008-15), two Silver Slugger Awards and a 2014 All-Star nod.

History

Historical Context

After former senator George J. Mitchell’s 20-month investigation culminated in the December 13 2007 Mitchell Report—naming 89 MLB players and finding 5-7 % of 2003 tests positive—MLB overhauled its drug program, expanding tests to dozens of substances. Ramirez’s 2024 positive for four anabolic steroids mirrors the same compounds highlighted in that report, showing the league’s enduring doping challenge.

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Story summary

On April 29, a Swiss agency announced that 44-year-old Cuban Alexei Ramirez tested positive for four anabolic steroids, prompting a provisional suspension.
Ramirez’s A-sample, which contained mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol, may be followed by a B-sample request and a four-year ban through age 48.
He logged a WBC—a strikeout in a 4-1 loss to Puerto Rico—and played for the Chicago White Sox (2008-15), two Silver Slugger Awards and a 2014 All-Star nod.

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