Mets’ Jenrry Mejia is suspended 80 games

New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.

MLB announced the punishment Saturday. This is the fourth penalty for a positive Stanozolol test reported by MLB in less than a month, following Minnesota pitcher Ervin Santana, Seattle pitcher David Rollins and Atlanta pitcher Arodys Vizcaino.

Mejia began the season as New York’s closer, but he was put on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a posterior elbow inflammation.

Mejia released a statement through the team saying that he knows the rules and accepts his punishment, but “can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system.”

Andrew McCutchen is out of Pirates’ starting lineup

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen is out of the starting lineup against Milwaukee a day after taking himself out of a game because of left knee soreness.

The status of the 2013 National Leagtue most valuable player is considered day to day. He departed after his at-bat in the top of the ninth of the Pirates’ 6-2 win Friday night against the Brewers, the Pirates’ first victory of the year.

Manager Clint Hurdle said he might be able to use McCutchen as a pinch-hitter for Saturday’s game in Milwaukee. Starling Marte is moving from left field to center field to replace McCutchen, with Andrew Lambo getting the start in left.

Michael Brantley sits out Indians game

Michael Brantley’s back issue has sent him to the bench again.

The Cleveland Indians All-Star outfielder, who sat out two games in Houston in the season-opening series because of tightness in his lower back, sat out Saturday against the Detroit Tigers and will likely sit out the series finale Sunday.

Brantley’s back has bothered him for several weeks and acted up late in Friday’s home opener.

Manager Terry Francona does not expect Brantley to go on the disabled list.

Rangers put Derek Holland on 60-day DL

The Texas Rangers put left-hander Derek Holland on the 60-day disabled, a day after he pitched only one inning in the home opener because of a shoulder injury.

Outfielder Ryan Rua was put on the 15-day DL because of a right ankle sprain.

Texas recalled right-hander Jon Edwards from Round Rock and purchased the contract of outfielder Carlos Peguero from the triple-A club.

Holland felt tightness on his last pitch of warmups Friday, then threw nine pitches against Houston. He was diagnosed with a subscapular strain in his left shoulder.

The Rangers also received right-hander Stolmy Pimentel on a waiver claim from Pittsburgh.