Former Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramírez was a feel-good story at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Despite his age — at 44, Ramirez was the oldest player in the tournament — he was still playing at a high enough level to compete for Cuba.
But that story took a disappointing turn Wednesday, as the International Testing Agency (ITA) revealed Ramírez tested positive for four different performance-enhancing drugs at the event.
A sample collected from Ramírez during the event reportedly showed “metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol,” per the ITA. Because of that, the ITA imposed a mandatory provisional suspension on Ramírez. That suspension can be challenged by Ramírez.
Ramírez has been informed of the positive test, per the ITA, and can request that his B-sample be tested. If that test confirms the initial result, however, “the case will be considered as a confirmed anti-doping rule violation.” The case will also be considered a confirmed anti-doping rule violation if Ramírez does not request his B-sample be tested. It’s unclear whether Ramírez will challenge the test result.
Though Cuba took part in four games at the event, Ramírez appeared in just one of them. He struck out in his only at-bat during the tournament.
Prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Ramírez had a nine-year career in the majors, the majority of which came with the White Sox. The shortstop impressed immediately, finishing as the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award in 2008. He was a one-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger award winner who was regarded for playing strong defense at one of the game’s toughest positions. Despite his defensive prowess, though, Ramírez never won a Gold Glove award.
After his final MLB season in 2016, Ramírez spent time in the Mexican League in 2018. He was then seemingly away from baseball before his 2026 comeback with Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic.