Former White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez tested positive for four anabolic steroids at the World Baseball Classic in March, according to newly released findings.
The International Testing Agency announced on Wednesday that the 44-year-old Cuban tested positive for “metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol.” Ramirez has also received a mandatory provisional suspension, though he has the right to challenge it and ask for its lifting.
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.
Ramirez spent eight of his nine Major League seasons on the South Side. During that span, the “Cuban Missile” hit .273/.310/.399 while winning two Silver Slugger awards at shortstop and finishing second to Evan Longoria in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2008. He still holds the major league record for most grand slams in a rookie season with four.
After the 2015 season, Ramirez signed with the Padres and was traded to the Rays during what would be his final season in the majors. He went on to play one more professional campaign for Mexico in 2018, slashing .303/.359/.418, before formally announcing his retirement in 2021.
Ramirez was part of the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 as a 24-year-old. His return to the field for Team Cuba last month was initially viewed as a feel-good, full-circle moment, especially as the oldest participating player in the tournament’s history. Unfortunately, it hasn’t ended on that same high note, in what could be the last time we see him take the field.
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