CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Johan Rojas had been in Phillies camp this spring, playing in Grapefruit League games and practicing with teammates, while the past couple weeks awaiting word about his future with the club.
On Monday night, Major League Baseball announced that Rojas has been suspended for 80 games without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension will begin at the start of the 2026 regular season.
Rojas will not be eligible to participate in the postseason.
"The Phillies fully support Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program and are disappointed to hear today’s news of Johan’s violation," the team said in a statement.
Rojas, 25, was in camp on Monday morning at BayCare Ballpark, chatting and laughing with teammates. He played on Sunday against the Braves.
He had been a long shot to make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, long before reports first surfaced earlier this month about a potential suspension. Rojas declined to comment on those reports.
Rojas’ suspension impacts the organization’s outfield depth. The Phillies are expected to pursue help in the coming weeks.
They opened camp last month with a projected outfield that included Brandon Marsh and Otto Kemp in left field, Justin Crawford (No. 3 Phillies prospect) in center and Adolis García in right.
Rojas figured to be the fifth outfielder on the depth chart. If Crawford struggled or got hurt at any point, Rojas could have replaced him in center field.
Now?
Marsh is the most likely candidate to move to center field, if Crawford can’t play. Beyond him, however, the next option in center might be Pedro León, who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday. León has played 205 games in center field in his Minor League career.
León also is the only remaining healthy outfielder on the Phillies’ 40-man roster (other than García, Marsh and Kemp).
Prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. (No. 8 Phillies prospect) is on the 40-man, but he has been sidelined this spring with tendinitis in his knees. Non-roster outfielders in camp -- besides Crawford -- are Bryan De La Cruz and prospect Dante Nori (No. 7 Phillies prospect). De La Cruz has played mostly corner outfield in his career, although he has played 73 games in center.
Nori, who can play center, is expected to open the season at Double-A Reading.
Utility player Dylan Moore, who is a non-roster invitee, has played 17 games in his career in center field.
Rojas batted .224 with a .569 OPS in 172 plate appearances last season.
He has batted .252 with a .633 OPS in parts of three seasons overall, but he held value as an above-average defender.