Reds minor league pitcher given 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing substance

September 16th, 2009 Orioles minor leaguer suspended after drug testNEW YORK — A minor league catcher in the Baltimore organization has been suspended 50 games after a positive drug test. Freuny Parra was penalized Wednesday after the test showed he used boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance.

September 14th, 2009 2 players in Dominican Summer League suspendedNEW YORK — Two players in the Dominican Summer League have been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Pitcher Jose Dominguez of the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization and outfielder Waldo Rosario of the Tampa Bay Rays' organization were penalized Monday under the minor league drug program.

September 10th, 2009 Minor league SS caught suspended after drug testNEW YORK — A minor league shortstop whose contract with the New York Yankees was voided earlier this year has been suspended 50 games after a positive drug test. Damian Arredondo was penalized Wednesday under the minor league drug program.

September 3rd, 2009 Giants minor league suspended after drug testNEW YORK — San Francisco Giants minor league pitcher Diego De La Cruz has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. De La Cruz was penalized Thursday after the test showed he used the stimulant ephedrine.

August 22nd, 2009 Mets minor leaguer suspended after drug testNEW YORK — Mets pitcher Santiago Valdez has been suspended for 50 games under baseball's minor league drug program after a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension of Valdez, who is with the Mets' Gulf Coast League team, began Friday.

August 14th, 2009 2 Cubs minor leaguers suspended 50 games for drugsNEW YORK — Two Chicago Cubs players in the Dominican Summer League have been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Pitcher Ericdervid Martinez and outfielder Gregorio Robles were suspended Thursday.

August 12th, 2009 Nats minor leaguer Englund suspendedNEW YORK — Washington Nationals minor league pitcher Stephen Englund has been suspended for 50 games under baseball's minor league drug program after testing positive for an amphetamine. His suspension began Tuesday.

July 30th, 2009 2 Detroit minor leaguers suspended 50 gamesNEW YORK — Two Detroit minor league pitchers have been suspended 50 games each after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Carlos Alvarado and Frank Penalver were banned Wednesday for violating baseball's minor league drug policy for the first time.

July 18th, 2009 6 minor league players suspended for drugsNEW YORK — Six minor league players were suspended for 50 games on Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Five of the players were in the Dominican Summer League.

July 17th, 2009 5 players in Dominican league suspended for drugsNEW YORK — Five minor league players in the Dominican Summer League were suspended for 50 games on Thursday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Oakland pitchers Alexis Juma and Alex Nolasco, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Renedin Mesa, Philadelphia pitcher Joan Pascual and Phillies outfielder Jose Trinidad were penalized under baseball's minor league drug program.

June 24th, 2009 Two minor league pitchers suspended for drugsNEW YORK — Two minor league pitchers have been suspended for 50 games each after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The commissioner's office announced the penalties Tuesday for Jose Hernandez of the New York Mets and Dail Villanueva of the St.

June 18th, 2009 Manny to begin minor league assignment next weekLOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez appears to be a week away from beginning a minor league assignment as he nears the end of his 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy. Manager Joe Torre said Wednesday that Ramirez would start out playing for Class A Inland Empire next Thursday.

June 17th, 2009 Braves' Triple-A pitcher suspended 50 gamesNEW YORK — Atlanta minor league pitcher Rafael Cruz was suspended 50 games on Tuesday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. The 32-year-old reliever was 1-3 with a 3.45 ERA for Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi.

June 17th, 2009 Braves minor leaguer Cruz suspended for drugsCINCINNATI — Atlanta Braves minor leaguer Rafael Cruz has been suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Baseball announced on Tuesday that the right-handed reliever tested positive for traces of Stanozolol (stah-NO'-zo-lall), a manmade steroid.

June 12th, 2009 Phillies minor league INF Ozuna suspendedNEW YORK — Philadelphia Phillies infielder Pablo Ozuna has been suspended for 50 games under baseball's minor league drug program. Major League Baseball said he had an elevated ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone, a violation of its drug rules.