DSL Mets' Larez suspended 56 games

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that New York Mets Minor League infielder Cristopher Larez, who is currently on the roster of the Dominican Summer League Mets, has received a 56-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Larez, 17-year-old shortstop, signed with the Mets in as an international free agent out of Venezuela on Jan. 15 for $1.4 million and appeared in 24 games with New York's Mets Orange affiliate in the DSL. He hit .274 with a homer, 13 RBIs, eight doubles and nine stolen bases in 84 at-bats.

MLB.com ranked Larez as the No. 43 prospect in the 2023 international class. His MLB Pipeline scouting report described him as "one of the most polished shortstops in the class," and noted he had a "chance to be a five-tool player at a premium position." He was for a time ranked among the Mets' top-30 prospects by MLB.com in 2023.

Boldenone, a performance-enhancing steroid, is believed to aid in building muscle mass. It has previously been linked to other suspensions in baseball, including the Mets' Jenrry Mejia in 2015 and the D-backs' Domingo Leyba in 2020.