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Rizzo calls for more drug testing after Marte's suspension

Caylor Arnold / USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Rizzo is the second member of the Chicago Cubs to speak out following the 80-game suspension handed to Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte.

After his skipper Joe Maddon voiced his opinion that MLB's system works in terms of catching those who attempt to cheat using performance-enhancing drugs, Rizzo revealed he wished the league did more to catch PED users, including extra testing.

"Is it a big risk if you're suspended 80 games and you got a guaranteed contract?" Rizzo said Tuesday, according to CSN Chicago's Patrick Mooney. "Do you take that risk to get the reward? That's the question you ask.

"For some guys, it is a big risk, for others, you get away with it, you get the big deal. But it's part of the game. And my opinion is we need to drug test a lot more."

Related: 3 players who could replace Marte in Pirates' lineup

Rizzo's claim for more testing isn't entirely unfounded either, from his perspective.

The 27-year-old admitted he hasn't been tested in months, a concerning time frame that could allow possible users to erase detectable substances from their systems before they're required to take a test.

"Me, personally, I haven't been tested since the season started," Rizzo said. "It's been a solid two months now. It's a random drug test and I'll probably be drug-tested a week from now, because I'm saying this.

"But for me, it's 15 minutes. We should be getting drug-tested a lot more."

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