In the first ever doping case in Japanese baseball, Softbank Hawks right-hander Rick Guttormson has tested positive for a banned substance, acting Japanese baseball commissioner Yasuchika Negoro said Friday. Guttormson will be suspended for 20 days from Friday after a post-game doping test by Nippon Professional Baseball on July 13 found that he had taken Finasteride, which is not performance-enhancing but is banned because it can be used as masking agent for drug use. NPB said Finasteride was in the hair-growing agent Guttormson has been taking for about two years and it has slapped the Pacific League club with a fine of 7.5 million yen.
