The Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the following statement regarding the suspension of catcher Raudy Read:
"Earlier today, Major League Baseball announced that Raudy Read has received an 80-game suspension without pay for violating the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. This is a very serious matter - one that I do not take lightly. We educate players across our system on the program and set the expectation that they fully abide by it. I am deeply disappointed in Raudy. I have spoken with him directly and he understands that he is ultimately responsible for what he puts into his body. In the end, I hope he learns from this experience."