The Philadelphia Phillies and the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic roster have suffered an unexpected blow. Outfielder Johan Rojas will no longer participate in the 2026 tournament after reportedly testing positive for a banned substance, according to multiple reports that surfaced Sunday .
Rojas, 25, was expected to report along with the rest of the Dominican Republic’s roster but was a no-show. Subsequent reporting from Latin American baseball insider Wilber Sánchez revealed the reason: a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance .
What This Means for the WBC and MLB
It’s important to note that the World Baseball Classic and MLB operate under separate drug-testing programs with different rules . A positive test that removes a player from the WBC does not automatically trigger an 80-game suspension from Major League Baseball. The two programs are independent, and the substances, thresholds, and consequences do not always align .
However, if MLB determines the violation falls under its Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, Rojas could face significant discipline—potentially costing him playing time and further complicating his path to a roster spot .
A Critical Moment in His Career
The timing could hardly be worse for Rojas. Already fighting for playing time in a crowded Phillies outfield, he entered Spring Training with a challenging road ahead. The Phillies’ projected starting outfield includes Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford, and new signing Adolis García . Rojas was competing for a backup role against players like Otto Kemp and others .
Through 11 spring at-bats, Rojas had just one hit . His offensive struggles are well-documented—he batted just .224 in 2025 with a .569 OPS across 71 games . However, his elite defense in center field (+5 Outs Above Average in 2025) and 99th-percentile sprint speed have kept him in the conversation as a valuable bench piece .
Third Phillies Player Connected to PEDs
This situation marks the third time in a short span that a Phillies player has been connected to PED-related news. José Alvarado served an 80-game suspension in 2025, and Max Kepler was banned in January 2026 . While no broader conclusions should be drawn, the pattern is noteworthy .
Dominican Republic Loses Defensive Depth
For the Dominican Republic, Rojas’s absence removes a defensive ace and speed threat from their bench . While the team remains star-studded with names like Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , Rojas’s elite glove would have been valuable in close, late-game situations .
What’s Next
As of now, MLB has not formally confirmed any suspension or commented on the situation . The Phillies and the league are likely reviewing the matter. For Rojas, the immediate future is uncertain: his WBC participation is over, his roster spot is in jeopardy, and his reputation has taken a hit . Even in the best-case scenario where no MLB suspension follows, he now heads into the final weeks of Spring Training with a cloud hanging over every at-bat .
