Tribe’s Almonte banned 80 games for PEDs

The Indians acquired Almonte from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline last season.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte was suspended 80 games Friday by Major League Baseball for a performance-enhancing substance.

The suspension will be effective from the start of the 2016 regular season.

The 80 games is standard for a player’s first offense in regards to PED use, and Almonte will have the option to appeal. “[Manager Terry Francona] and I talked with Abe as soon as we found out”.

Chapman is under investigation by Major League Baseball under the sport’s new domestic violence policy for an incident at his house in Florida in October involving his girlfriend.

“We still have a lot of outfielders up here”, Chernoff said.

Almonte was likely to compete for a starting job in the outfield while Michael Brantley works his way back from a shoulder injury. It could open the door to a greater extent for Cowgill, who could platoon with Chisenhall in right field and can play all three positions. He filled a void for them in center field.

Now, Francona and the Indians front office will have to get more creative with their outfield mix. And, it could create more of an opening for Naquin, a prospect long touted to play center field. 250 with five home runs and 24 runs batted in.