Back
18 February 2026
The ITA reports that the baseball player Anderson De León was sanctioned with a 5-year period of ineligibility after testing positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and stanozolol metabolites following an in‑competition doping control conducted on 23 February 2025 during the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine are prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List as S6. Stimulants. These substances are non-specified substances and are prohibited in-competition. Amphetamine and methamphetamine may enhance performance by improving reaction time when fatigued, increasing strength and endurance and reducing body fat.
Stanozolol is listed under the WADA Prohibited List as S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). It is classified as a non-specified substance and is prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid that promotes lean muscle growth and enhances strength.
When notified of the case, the player was provisionally suspended with immediate effect.
The ITA issued the sanction on behalf of WBSC in accordance with article 8.3.3 of the WBSC anti-doping rules (and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code).¹ The period of ineligibility, which was increased to 5 years on the basis of aggravating circumstances,² is effective from 30 April 2025 until 29 April 2030 and the athlete’s individual results have been disqualified from 23 February 2025 onwards.
Parties with a right of appeal may challenge the decision before the appeals division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in accordance with article 13.2 of the WBSC anti-doping rules.
The ITA will not comment further on this case.
¹ When an athlete does not challenge the assertion of an ADRV and does not request a hearing, anti-doping organisations have the possibility to issue a written decision sanctioning the athlete and imposing the applicable consequences without having to refer the case to a hearing panel. This is provided in articles 8.3.2 and 8.3.3 of the WBSC Anti-Doping Rules and article 8.3 of the World Anti-Doping Code.
² As per Article 10.4 of the WBSC Anti-Doping Rules, if aggravating circumstances are present which justify the imposition of a period of ineligibility greater than the standard sanction, the period of ineligibility otherwise applicable shall be increased by an additional period of ineligibility of up to two years depending on the seriousness of the violation and the nature of the aggravating circumstances. The circumstances and actions that qualify as aggravating circumstances include, but are not limited to circumstances where the player used or possessed multiple prohibited substances or prohibited methods.
