Former Major League Baseball catcher Martin Maldonado suited up for Puerto Rico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Maldonado, 39, had already retired from MLB, and these were the last few games of his professional career.
He had three hits, including a double, and six RBIs in 13 trips to the plate during the tournament with Puerto Rico. An 8-6 loss to Team Italy in the quarterfinals knocked his team out of title contention.
However, according to a report from The Baseball Aficionado on Instagram, Maldonado tested positive for an amphetamine during what they described as an “in-competition doping control” at the WBC.
“Maldonado, who retired from MLB in October 2025, said the positive result came from a legally prescribed medication and explained that he was unaware WADA required separate Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) paperwork, which differs from MLB’s protocols,” The Baseball Aficionado’s report reads.
The positive test did not lead to a suspension for Maldonado, who represented Puerto Rico in the WBC three times during his 23-year playing career.
One of his former WBC teammates, Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez, was ruled ineligible to play due to a two-year suspension for a positive marijuana test during the 2023 WBC.
Insurance constraints withheld certain players from joining Puerto Rico during the most recent 20-team international tournament, including Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor.
In 15 MLB seasons, Maldonado accumulated 6.2 bWAR with 119 home runs and a .620 OPS in 1,230 games. He is more well-known for his strong defensive skills and ability to work well with a pitching staff.
Photo: Puerto Rico’s Martín Maldonado lines out to Italy outfielder Dante Nori during the fourth inning of the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, Saturday against Italy, March 14, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
