Major League Baseball has officially handed down an 80-game suspension to Johan Rojas, a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, after he tested positive for Boldenone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. The violation falls under the league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Reports had surfaced weeks earlier indicating that Rojas failed a drug test and was in the process of appealing the result. That process has now concluded, and the suspension will take effect at the start of the 2026 season.
At 25 years old, Rojas has spent a significant portion of the past three seasons serving as Philadelphia’s primary center fielder. He has built a strong reputation for his defensive abilities, consistently covering ground in the outfield and making impactful plays. In addition to his glove, his speed has been another valuable asset, particularly on the basepaths where he has contributed with stolen bases. However, his offensive production has remained a concern for the organization.
Dating back to the beginning of the 2024 season, Rojas has posted a modest .237 batting average, along with a .279 on-base percentage and a .312 slugging percentage. These numbers translate to a 64 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), meaning he has performed significantly below league average offensively. This imbalance between elite defense and limited hitting has led the Phillies to reconsider his long-term role.
In response to these concerns, Philadelphia made moves to strengthen its outfield depth. At last season’s trade deadline, they acquired Harrison Bader, a player known for his defensive capabilities. Although Bader later entered free agency, the team appears ready to move forward with top prospect Justin Crawford as their potential everyday center fielder.
Before the suspension, Rojas was expected to enter the 2026 campaign in a reduced role, possibly as a fourth outfielder or as a depth option who could spend time in the minor leagues. He also represented a reliable fallback option if Crawford struggled during his early exposure to major league pitching, thanks to his speed and defensive reliability. However, with the suspension now in place, Rojas will be unavailable for the entire first half of the season. Even when he becomes eligible to return later in the year, he will not be allowed to participate in postseason play due to league rules regarding PED violations.
Rojas’ absence creates a noticeable gap in the Phillies’ center field depth. While Brandon Marsh has some experience at the position, he is generally considered better suited for left field and may be stretched defensively if asked to handle center on a regular basis. Another option is Pedro León, who is on the 40-man roster but has only limited experience in the majors, appearing in just a handful of games. Additionally, utility player Dylan Moore has logged some time in center field, though his experience there is also relatively limited.
With Opening Day approaching, the Phillies may explore external options to address this depth issue. As other teams finalize their rosters, players could become available through waivers or free agency. Philadelphia may look to capitalize on those opportunities to bring in additional support for center field and stabilize their outfield rotation in Rojas’ absence.
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