The headline provided appears to describe a dramatic, hypothetical or fictional scenario, as extensive searches across current MLB news, reports from 2025-2026, and specific queries about Alex Cora, Ronald Acuña Jr., doping tests, Red Sox vs. Braves games (including spring training or exhibition matches), and any related statements yield no matching real events. No credible sources report Cora publicly demanding a doping test on Acuña following a Red Sox loss to the Braves, nor any subsequent test results shocking the baseball world or prompting a surprising statement from Cora.
Recent MLB doping news has centered on Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar, who tested positive for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—a banned performance-enhancing substance often linked to post-steroid use—and received an 80-game suspension starting in late March 2025, causing forfeited salary and lineup disruptions for Atlanta while Ronald Acuña Jr. recovered from prior injury. Acuña himself has no reported positive tests or doping controversies in recent years; he has been focused on rehab from a torn ACL and gradual return to form.
Alex Cora, the Boston Red Sox manager, has been active in spring training commentary as of late February 2026, addressing team issues like outfield collisions (e.g., involving prospects Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela in a recent exhibition game against the Braves) and communication lapses, but nothing tied to Acuña or doping allegations. Historical context shows Cora’s involvement in the 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, which led to his departure from the Red Sox in 2020 before his return, but no links to accusing others of PED use.
Given the absence of factual basis in public records, the following 900-word English article is crafted as a speculative, dramatized piece in the style of sensational sports journalism, treating the provided title as the premise for a fictional breaking news story set in the current 2026 spring training context.
BREAKING NEWS: Red Sox coach Alex Cora publicly called on the American Baseball League (AL) to conduct a doping test on Ronald Acuña Jr. immediately after the Red Sox’s 8-15 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the spring playoffs. When the results were released, everyone was stunned… including Alex Cora himself, who immediately issued a surprising statement.
In the heated aftermath of a lopsided spring training clash that felt more like a playoff grudge match than a Grapefruit League tune-up, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora ignited one of the most explosive controversies of the 2026 preseason. Following his team’s humiliating 8-15 defeat to the Atlanta Braves—complete with a barrage of home runs and a defensive meltdown—Cora did not mince words in his postgame press conference.
He directly called on Major League Baseball to immediately administer a performance-enhancing drug test to Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., citing what he described as “superhuman” bursts of speed and power that defied explanation after Acuña’s long recovery from knee surgery.
The March exhibition game at CoolToday Park had already been chippy. Acuña, returning to full health after missing significant time in 2025, tormented the Red Sox pitching staff, going 4-for-5 with two homers, a double, and five RBIs. His explosive sprint to first on an infield single clocked at near-elite levels stunned observers, especially given his age and injury history. Cora, visibly frustrated after watching his pitchers get shelled and his young outfielders collide in pursuit of fly balls, stepped to the podium and dropped the bombshell.
“I’ve seen a lot in this game,” Cora said, his voice steady but edged with accusation. “But what I witnessed today from Acuña wasn’t normal. The league needs to step up, test him right now—random, immediate, no delays. Fans deserve transparency, and so do the players grinding every day clean.”
The comments spread like wildfire across social media and sports networks. Braves fans decried it as sour grapes from a manager whose team had been outclassed. Red Sox supporters rallied behind Cora, pointing to the uneven scoreline and Acuña’s sudden resurgence. MLB officials, already sensitive to PED scrutiny after the Jurickson Profar suspension earlier in 2025, quietly initiated protocols. Acuña, through his representatives, declined immediate comment but cooperated fully with testing, as required under the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Days later, the results landed with seismic force. Ronald Acuña Jr. tested negative—clean across all banned substances, including steroids, stimulants, and masking agents. No trace of anything prohibited. The announcement came via an MLB statement, confirming the sample was collected swiftly post-game and processed under strict chain-of-custody rules. Baseball’s integrity appeared upheld, but the fallout was just beginning.
Cora, who had staked his reputation on the call-out, was reportedly briefed privately before the public release. Sources close to the Red Sox described the manager as “visibly shaken” upon learning the outcome. In a hastily arranged statement outside the team’s spring facility, Cora addressed the media, his tone markedly different from the fiery postgame rant.
“I stand by my right to question what I see on the field when it looks extraordinary,” Cora began, pausing to gather himself. “But I was wrong about this. Ronald Acuña is clean, and I respect that. I apologize to him, to the Braves organization, and to the fans for jumping to conclusions. This game is too great for baseless suspicion. My frustration from the loss got the better of me, and that’s on me. Moving forward, I’ll focus on my team and let performance speak.”
The reversal stunned the baseball world. Analysts debated whether Cora’s initial demand damaged his credibility or highlighted legitimate concerns about policing the sport. Braves manager Brian Snitker called the episode “unfortunate but resolved,” praising Acuña’s professionalism. Acuña himself posted a brief message on social media: “I play the game the right way. Always have. Respect to everyone who does the same.”
The incident underscored ongoing tensions in MLB’s post-steroid era. While testing remains rigorous—players like Profar face swift punishment—high-profile accusations can inflame rivalries and raise doubts even when disproven. For the Red Sox, already navigating a rebuilding phase with young talent, Cora’s misstep could serve as a teaching moment about restraint amid competition.
As spring training rolls on, both teams shift focus back to preparation. Acuña continues dazzling, proving his resurgence is rooted in hard work and rehabilitation. Cora, known for his passion, now carries the weight of a public apology. In a sport built on trust and scrutiny, this brief storm reminded everyone: extraordinary feats deserve celebration, not immediate suspicion—unless evidence proves otherwise.