6 controversial baseball players who got a second chance in MLB ft. Domingo Germán, Alex Rodriguez & more

Baseball is America's pastime, but that does not mean there has not been some controversy surrounding the MLB. From role players to stars, plenty have gotten in trouble with the law or caught trying to gain an unfair advantage.

The unfair advantage could be anything from "sticky stuff" to PED usage. PEDs have a long history in the game, It was so predominant at one point, that there is a 10-year stretch from 1994 to 2004 described as the "Steroids Era."

While some fans may see it differently, many of these players were given a second chance. So, today we look at six of these controversial figures that were able to get another go.

6 controversial MLB players who were given a second chance

#6 - Starling Marte

New York Mets slugger Starling Marte was popped for PED usage after a positive test in 2017. This was when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he was given an 80-game suspension.

Marte tested positive for nandrolone, which violated the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. However, he served his time and was back in the lineup later that summer.

#5 - Nelson Cruz

In 2013, Nelson Cruz was linked to buying PEDs in the Biogenesis scandal. He accepted a 50-game suspension. He denied his involvement and signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles the following season.

#4 - Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the most recent MLB players to have been hit with a PED suspension. He was handed an 80-game suspension in August 2022 after testing positive for Clostebol.

He handled his suspension while recovering from hand surgery and was back in the lineup the following season. However, he did have to miss the first 20 games before getting back out there.

#3 - Domingo German

Former New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German was handed an 81-game suspension from the league for violating MLB's domestic violence policy. While intoxicated, he was belligerent and physical with his girlfriend at the time. He was also suspended for 10 games during the 2023 season after an umpire found a foreign substance on his hand.

#2 Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano is no stranger to testing positive for PEDs. He did so twice during his MLB career, once in 2018 and the second time in 2021. He was suspended 80 games in 2018 and the entire season in 2021. Both times, the slugger was back with a bat in his hand following the suspensions.

#1 Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez was one of the biggest names during the Biogenesis scandal. He was handed a 211-game suspension for his part while others like Nelson Cruz were handed a 50-game punishment. Despite the year-plus suspension, he was quickly back in the lineup during the 2015 season.