Puerto Rican baseball player Martín 'Machete' Maldonado tested positive for the stimulant amphetamine during the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to the International Testing Agency (ITA). The test was conducted on March 7, and Maldonado was provisionally suspended on April 27. The Puerto Rico Baseball Federation confirmed that they were notified of the positive result, but stated that they are unaware of the current status of the case.
Maldonado, who announced his retirement after the tournament, had played for the Puerto Rico national team and was set to become the manager of the Indios de Mayagüez for the 2026-27 season. The ITA reported that Maldonado’s sample showed an adverse analytical result for amphetamine, which is strictly prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Maldonado had a 15-year career, winning a Gold Glove and playing in three World Series, including a championship win with the Houston Astros in 2022.