Olympic champion Alexei Ramirez tested positive for four steroids at World Baseball Classic

Alexei Ramirez tested positive for four steroids at the World Baseball Classic (Getty)

Former Chicago White Sox star Alexei Ramirez has been provisionally banned from baseball after testing positive for four anabolic steroids during the World Baseball Classic in March, where he made headlines as the tournament's oldest ever player.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed on Wednesday that the 44-year-old Cuban tested positive for "metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol."

These substances, the Lausanne-based agency noted, are "associated with promoting rapid muscle growth, increased strength and enhanced physical performance."

The ITA informed Ramirez of the positive result from a sample taken during the tournament.

Ramirez had returned to the Cuba roster after a 20-year absence, featuring as a bench player to break the record previously held by Roger Clemens, who was 43 when he represented the United States in the 2006 WBC.

Ramirez broke the record previously held by Roger Clemens (Getty)

Cuba failed to advance from the pool phase in the recent tournament.

Known for his nine-year career in Major League Baseball, Ramirez spent seven years at the Chicago White Sox between 2008 and 2015.

He was the runner-up for the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2008 after making his debut earlier that year at the age of 26.