The Philadelphia Phillies have had an unfortunate offseason, missing out on some big names such as Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette.
They have just suffered another big blow.
Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has reportedly tested positive for a banned substance, according to MLB insider Wilber Sánchez.
Dominican outfielder Johan Rojas of the Philadelphia Phillies has tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and will not be eligible to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The suspension rules him
Rojas was expected to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic before this news.
Because of this, Rojas will not be eligible.
Depending on what the banned substance is, it could affect his battle for an outfield spot in spring training, per Sánchez.
How Does This Affect the Philadelphia Phillies’ Positional Battle?
After the loss of outfielders Max Kepler, Harrison Bader and Nick Castellanos, there will be some shuffling in Philadelphia’s outfield.
Brandon Marsh should play left field mostly, with a platoon mate more than likely. Rookie Justin Crawford will be the everyday centerfielder. New signing Adolis Garcia will man right field.
As it stands, this doesn’t leave much room for Rojas to get playing time or room for error.
While also competing for time with backup outfielders Otto Kemp and others, this was the worst time for news like this to occur.
That’s why this spring training was crucial for Rojas to show out for his team. So far, that has not happened. In 11 at-bats this spring, Rojas has just one hit.
What Has Rojas Done Over His Major League Career?
The Phillies signed Rojas as an international free agent back in 2018. He would make his debut in 2023.
During that season, he would play in 59 games, hitting .302, with a .771 OPS. He would also steal 14 bases, accumulating 2.4 bWAR. His power was never considered to be even average, hitting just two home runs that season.
Unfortunately, his production would dip in the next couple of seasons.
In 2024, he played 120 games, hitting .243 with a .601 OPS. He would steal 25 bases, but his overall offensive inefficiency led to a poor season.
Last season, he played in 71 games, hitting .224 with a .569 OPS. While he would steal 12 bases, his offensive ineffectiveness was bad enough that he would have to compete for a roster spot this year.
Rojas has only played center field in his major league career, but he plays it quite well. In 2025, he accumulated +5 Outs Above Average, according to Baseball Savant.
In his three professional seasons, this is the worst OAA total he has had, showing how great a defender he is.
His sprint speed is also elite at 30.1 feet per second in 2025. That total ranked in the 99th percentile in baseball, ahead of known speedsters like Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
While he is a below-average hitter, his speed and defense should make him a valuable player in many organizations’ eyes.
While we don’t know what the banned substance was, if it is considered performance-enhancing, it could result in a lengthy suspension for Rojas and a smear on his career.
Whether Rojas will face disciplinary action from Major League Baseball remains to be seen. If he does, his spot on the Phillies will be tenuous at best.
Phillies Get Unfortunate World Baseball Classic News Ahead of Key Positional Battle