Big news out of baseball: Houston Astros minor league pitcher Julio Rodriguez just got slapped with an 80-game suspension by Major League Baseball (MLB) after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Nandrolone.
Rodriguez isn’t exactly a household name, but his suspension adds another notch to the growing list of players benched in 2025 for violating MLB’s drug policy. So, what’s going on with Rodriguez, his career, and what could this mean for both him and the Astros?
Understanding Julio Rodriguez’s Suspension
Julio Rodriguez, a 25-year-old right-handed relief pitcher, got hit with an 80-game ban after his positive test for Nandrolone. MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program strictly forbids this substance.
This penalty is just the latest example of how performance-enhancing drugs keep creeping into the sport. Rodriguez is now the eighth player suspended in 2025 for a positive drug test—six of them under minor league rules. The problem isn’t going away, no matter how much MLB tries to stamp it out.
Rodriguez’s Career Progression
Rodriguez’s path through baseball has been anything but straightforward. The San Francisco Giants first signed him in March 2018, handing him a $300,000 bonus.
He climbed their farm system, even reaching Triple-A in 2024. He pitched in two games for the Sacramento River Cats, then wrapped up the year with Double-A Richmond.
In December, the Houston Astros picked him up in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft, hoping to add depth to their minor league pitching options.
This year, Rodriguez split time between the Astros’ High-A club in Asheville and their Double-A affiliate in Corpus Christi. Over 21 relief appearances, he went 2-0, but his ERA ballooned to 6.40.
Despite those numbers, the Astros bumped him up to Double-A Corpus Christi on June 17. They must’ve seen something in him, but now this suspension throws a wrench into everything.
The Bigger Picture: MLB’s Drug Policy in Focus
Rodriguez’s suspension is just one of several in 2025. This year alone, MLB has handed out eight suspensions under its joint drug policy.
Six of those came from minor league players, which kind of shows the problem isn’t just with the big names. Even guys grinding it out in the minors are getting caught up in this stuff.
Big leaguers like Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar and Phillies closer José Alvarado have also faced bans, so nobody’s really immune. The issue keeps popping up in conversations around the league.
How Nandrolone Impacts Performance
Nandrolone, the drug Rodriguez tested positive for, is an anabolic steroid. It can help build muscle and boost strength—no wonder it’s tempting for players trying to make a mark.
It’s banned in baseball because of the unfair edge and the health risks that come with it. Still, the fact that it keeps showing up in tests says a lot about the pressure and temptation in the sport.
What This Means for the Astros and Rodriguez
The Astros now have to deal with the fallout from Rodriguez’s suspension. They’ve been working to develop talent in their farm system, and losing a player—even one who hasn’t exactly dominated—can mess with their plans.
This situation might also make people wonder if the team’s doing enough to educate and support their players about following MLB’s drug rules.
For Rodriguez, the road back looks pretty rough. These kinds of suspensions stick with a player and can really damage their reputation.
At just 25, he’s still got time, but it’s anyone’s guess if he’ll be able to rebuild trust with teams or fans after this setback.
The MLB’s Uphill Battle Against PEDs
The suspension of Julio Rodriguez just throws another wrench into MLB’s ongoing fight with performance-enhancing drugs. The league’s policy has nailed some offenders, but Rodriguez’s suspension—and a few others this year—make it clear that the problem isn’t going away anytime soon.
Should the league ramp up testing? Maybe focus more on educating new players? It feels like MLB has to keep evolving just to keep the playing field fair.
As fans, we can’t help but wonder what all this means for the game’s integrity. Will Rodriguez bounce back? Can MLB really clamp down on PEDs for good?
Here is the source article for this story: Astros minor league pitcher suspended 80 games
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s