Milwaukee Brewers catcher Pedro Severino has been suspended 80 games without pay for taking a performance-enhancing drug, which he says he took to treat infertility issues.

Major League Baseball said he took Clomiphene. The drug is approved by the FDA to treat infertility in women, but not in men.

Severino, 28, issued a statement through the players' union, admitting he took the drug.

"Since late 2020, my wife and I had been trying to start a family unsuccessfully," he said. "When we returned to the Dominican Republic after the 2021 season, we sought medical assistance to determine why we had not succeeded. One of the doctors I consulted with prescribed me with a medication to treat infertility issues. Unfortunately, I now know that the medication contained Clomiphene."

He goes on to say that he accepts responsibility and will not challenge the suspension.

"In my attempt to start a family, I made a mistake," he said.

Severino apologized to the Brewers organization and his teammates.

He signed as a free agent with the team in November. He has played six-plus seasons in the big leagues with the Nationals and Orioles. Last season with Baltimore was one of his best. In a career high 419 plate appearances, he had 11 homers and 46 RBIs.