The ITA notifies baseball player Alexei Ramirez Rodriguez of an apparent anti-doping rule violation
The International Testing Agency (ITA), leading an independent anti-doping program for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), reports that it has notified Cuban baseball player Alexei Ramirez Rodriguez of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for four prohibited substances – namely mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol.
The ITA reports that a sample collected from Alexei Ramirez Rodriguez, a baseball player representing Cuba during the 2026 World Baseball Classic has returned an AAF¹ for metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol.
Mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol are classified under section S1.1 (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) of the 2026 WADA Prohibited List. These substances are prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) and are considered non-specified substances. They are synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroids associated with promoting rapid muscle growth, increased strength and enhanced physical performance.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
If the B-sample analysis is requested and confirms the result of the A-sample, the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. If the B-sample analysis is not requested, the case will also go ahead as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation. The athlete will have the opportunity to present his explanations for the result.
Further, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and article 7.4.1 of the WBSC anti-doping rules, a mandatory provisional suspension has been imposed on the athlete. The athlete has the right to challenge the provisional suspension and ask for its lifting.
Pursuant to the WBSC’s delegation of its anti-doping program to the ITA, the prosecution of the case is being handled entirely by the ITA. Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments made.
The original press release can be found here: https://ita.sport/news/the-ita-notifies-baseball-player-alexei-ramirez-rodriguez-of-an-apparent-anti-doping-rule-violation/
