John Singleton (Milwaukee Brewers) is back in the big leagues after three banned substance tests seemed to effectively end his career. It’s been seven years and eight months.

Singleton started at first base and batted sixth in the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, on 4 April, going 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the Brewers’ 10-8 win.

Born in 1991, Singleton was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth round, 257th overall, of the 2009 MLB Draft.

After being traded to the Houston Astros in 2011, Singleton was promoted to the MLB and made his debut on 4 June 2014, but faced an early drug stigma.메이저놀이터

After testing positive for marijuana in June 2012, before he even made his MLB debut, Singleton tested positive for marijuana again in December of that year during the Arizona Fall League. As a result, Singleton was suspended for 50 games.

When he made his MLB debut in 2014, he didn’t fare much better. In 114 games across 2014 and 2015, he batted just .171 with a .290 on-base percentage. His 14 home runs were devastating, but he was eventually sent down to the minors. After failing to make the jump to MLB, Singleton received a 100-game suspension for a third PED in 2018 and was given his release notice on 22 May.

After being released by Houston and seemingly ending his career, Singleton signed with the Diablos Rojos of the Mexican League in April 2020. The Mexican League itself was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, but Singleton bounced back in 2021 with a .321 batting average, .503 on-base percentage, and .693 slugging percentage with 15 home runs. Milwaukee took notice and signed Singleton in December 2021.

Singleton spent last year with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, batting just .219 with a .375 on-base percentage and .434 slugging percentage, but he was still devastating with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs. He made the 40-man roster last November.

Singleton’s career was once again at a crossroads when he was designated for assignment on 24 January to make room for Brian Anderson’s contract and released three days later, but he was reinstated on 11 February with a minor league contract. This season, Singleton fared somewhat better for Nashville, batting .258 with a .384 on-base percentage and .483 slugging percentage with 10 home runs.

Singleton was recalled by Milwaukee, who were looking for another first baseman due to the elbow injury to Darin Ruff, who played for Samsung. He played his first big league game in 2801 days against Cincinnati. Singleton became the second player to play an MLB game after the longest absence since Brandon Dixon (then with the St. Louis Cardinals) in 2021, when he returned to the big leagues after nine years and four days.

“It’s been a very long journey,” Singleton said. I can’t really explain how I feel right now. I’m just happy to be here,” he said.

Singleton, who had three bouts with substance abuse, also thanked his wife, Lindsey, for believing in him and supporting him throughout the years.

“His journey is unique,” said Milwaukee head coach Craig Counsell. “He’s been through a lot of tough times and he’s been able to get through them and continue to do what he loves. That’s baseball.”