2016 Minor League Drug Suspensions
SEE ALSO: 2015 Drug Suspensions
SEE ALSO: 2014 Drug Suspensions
SEE ALSO: 2013 Drug Suspensions
Bookmark this page to keep up with all the drug suspensions—as they’re announced by the commissioner’s office—handed out to domestic minor league players in 2016. Positive tests for performance-enhancers, recreational drugs (a.k.a. drugs of abuse) and stimulants count as violations of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.
| Dec. 22 |
• Red Sox C Jake Romanski
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
Romanski, 25, a 14th-round pick out of San Diego State, had a strong season at Double-A as Portland’s most consistent hitter. Romanski, who had Tommy John surgery in 2015, was considered at the top of Boston’s catching depth chart behind major leaguers Sandy Leon, Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart.
• Astros RHP Brendan McCurry
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Methamphetamine
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound McCurry doesn’t stand out for size or stuff, but he’s an outstanding competitor who thrives on his ability to locate three pitches. He mixes an 88-92 mph fastball, mid-70s curveball that flashes above-average and an average changeup and reached Triple-A this season.
• Indians RHP Dakody Clemmer
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse
A 19th-round pick from Central Arizona JC in June, Clemmer was 1-0, 7.71 in 17 games. Clemmer was Central Arizona’s top starter this spring, but seems best suited for a bullpen role because his delivery has plenty of effort.
• Royals RHP Arnaldo Hernandez
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Methamphetamine
Hernandez, 20, signed with the Royals in September 2012. He was 5-2, 5.86 in 14 starts. He’s shown great control in his three-year pro career.
• Free agent RHP Mario Alcantara
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
Alcantara, who signed with the Red Sox on July 2, 2009, became a minor league free agent last month after seven seasons in Boston’s system. He went 9-2, 3.16 at high Class A Salem, but walked 5.4 batters per nine innings, continuing a career-long trend of control problems.
| Dec. 9 |
• Brewers RHP Phil Bickford
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: drug of abuse
The two-time first-rounder was penalized. You can read more about it here.
• Marlins OF Casey Soltis
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: drug of abuse
A fifth-round pick out of high school in 2014, Soltis hit just .190/.299/.255 at low Class A Greensboro.
• Blue Jays RHP Pedro Loficial
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol
Loficial, 21, pitched last season in the Rookie-level DSL, going 1-0, 1.35.
| Nov. 23 |
• Free agent OF Cedric Hunter
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
Hunter, 28, was a third-round pick of the Padres in 2006 out of high school in Georgia. He four times ranked in the Padres’ Top 30, including No. 1 after the 2006 season. He reached the majors with the Phillies in 2016 for the first time in five seasons. At his best, Hunter was praised for his polished approach at the plate, hand-eye coordination and balance.
| Nov. 15 |
• Athletics LHP Kevin Duchene
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse
Duchene, a fifth-round pick out of Illinois in 2015, was Oakland’s No. 31 prospect entering the season. But he pitched just seven times in 2016, mostly out of the bullpen in Rookie ball, and didn’t pitch after July. In college, Duchene was a bulldog who succeeded despite average stuff, but that might not be enough in pro ball.
• Athletics C Beau Taylor
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
Taylor, 26, was a fifth-round pick in 2011 out of Central Florida. This season, he slashed .280/.383/.398 with 30 extra-base hits. He once ranked as high as No. 19 in the Athletics’ system entering 2013.
| Nov. 8 |
• Yankees OF Edel Luaces
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
Luaces, a 25th-round pick this year out of a Florida high school, was voted fastest player in the 2016 draft.
• Blue Jays C Cam O’Brien
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
O’Brien, the son of former major league Charlie O’Brien, was a nondrafted free agent signed out of West Virginia. He posted an .838 OPS at Rookie-level Bluefield.
• Yankees OF Erick Mendez
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Propylhexedrine
Mendez, 20, posted an .883 OPS in the GCL before struggling in the Appalachian League.
• Orioles C Chris O’Brien
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
O’Brien is also the son of Charlie O’Brien. A 18th-round pick in 2011 by the Dodgers from Wichita State, O’Brien ranked 26th in the Dodgers’ system entering 2015. He has fringy arm strength but is considered a good game-caller.
• Diamondbacks RHP Jorge Despaigne
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
The 6-foot-3, 242-pound Despaigne, 25, was 3-0, 3.46 in the DSL pitching against teenagers.
| Sept. 29 |
• Blue Jays DH Jesus Montero
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: dimethylbutylamine
Montero, who ranked no lower than the No. 6 overall prospect in baseball from 2010-2012, was thought to have a chance to carry on a tradition of all-star Yankees catchers. Instead, Montero was traded to the Mariners for Michael Pineda in January, 2012, struggled with his weight and performance, got into a high-profile argument with a Mariners scout, was designated for assignment, and landed with the Blue Jays. Now, he’s been suspended for using a performance-enhancing drug and will miss the start of the 2017 season. Now 26, Montero hit .317/.349/.438 with 11 homers at Triple-A Buffalo.
| Sept. 23 |
• White Sox LHP Yojensy Arias
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: hydrochlorothiazide
Originally signed by the Royals, Arias re-emerged this season with the White Sox after not pitching in affiliated ball in 2014-15.
| Sept. 9 |
• Rangers IF Xavier Turner
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
A 19th-round pick from Vanderbilt in 2015, Turner was chosen for the Northwest League all-star game and hit two homers in just 14 at-bats at low Class A this season. Turner was a key part of Vandy’s College World Series team in 2014, although he never played in Omaha after he was ruled ineligible.
• Angels OF Cam Williams
Suspension Length: 56 games
Violating Substances: Nandrolone
Williams, a 25th-round pick from Howard (Texas) JC, slashed .243/.357/.314 with nine stolen bases in the Rookie-level AZL.
| Sept. 1 |
• Red Sox OF Chad Hardy
Suspension Length: 60 games
Violating Substances: Tamoxifen
A 33rd-round pick this June from Paris (Texas) JC, Hardy was slashing .163/.191/.233 in the Gulf Coast League.
• Free agent RHP Adolfi Telleria
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Telleria, 22, spent four seasons in the DSL before being released on Aug. 18. He was 15-13, 2.81, with 184 strikeouts and just 34 walks in 214 innings.
• Free agent RHP Julio Lugo
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
| Aug. 24 |
• Braves LHP Erick Abreu
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
The 18-year-old was 1-1, 5.52 in the DSL, and he walked 27 batters in just 31 innings.
• Reds RHPs Israel Cuevas/Felix Jimenez/Enyer Morales
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Cuevas and Morales are on the roster of the Rookie-level DSL Reds, while Jimenez is on the roster of the DSL Reds2.
| Aug. 16 |
• Royals RHP Miguel Medrano
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
The 21-year-old Medrano, a starter in the DSL last season, was moved to the bullpen this year and was 0-0, 0.66 with three saves in eight appearances.
• Nationals RHP Yonaiker Oropeza
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Oropeza, 18, signed with the Nationals in April. He was 0-0, 4.50 in two games.
| Aug. 15 |
• Indians LHP Skylar Arias
Suspension Length: 56 games
Violating Substances: Nandrolone
The 6-foot-3, 190-lefthander was drafted in the 24th round in June from Tallahassee (Fla.) CC. He was 1-1, 3.72 with 20 strikeouts and three walks in 19 1/3 innings.
| Aug. 12 |
• Free Agent RHP Edwin Fidel
Suspension Length: 56 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Fidel, 21, in his first season in pro ball, was 1-0, 2.15 but averaged 7.4 walks per nine innings before being released by the Astros.
• Athletics RHP Yeudy Minaya
Suspension Length: 56 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Minaya, 20, is also in his first season and he was 1-1, 2.66 in the DSL and AZL.
| Aug. 10 |
• Cubs RHP Luiz Escanio
Suspension Length: 144 games
Violating Substances: Boldenone
Escanio, who just turned 24, has spent four years in the DSL. He was 3-1, 1.45 with three saves and has struck out 28 in 18 2/3 innings.
| Aug. 8 |
• Giants OF Chuckie Jones
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (third positive test)
Jones, a seventh-round pick out of a Missouri high school in 2010, was a three-sport athlete in high school and Missouri’s high school player of the year for baseball in 2010. But a combination of injuries slowed his development. Still he rose as high as the No. 18 prospect in the system after the 2011 season and was No. 30 after 2012. His speed/power combo was intriguing but his strikeout percentage was alarming. He has not played this season.
| Aug. 5 |
• Free agent OF Nate Schierholtz
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: Ibutamoren
Now 32, Schierholtz, who played in Japan last year, was most recently playing at Triple-A Toledo (Tigers). Schierholtz in the majors has slashed .253/.302/.405 with 52 homers for the Giants, Phillies, Cubs and Nationals.
| Aug. 2 |
• Tigers LHP Drake Britton
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
Britton, who got some big league time in 2013 and impressed with an above-average fastball and improved command, was Boston’s 23rd-round pick in 2007 from a Texas high school and he climbed as high as No. 3 in Boston’s system. He was also the No. 97 prospect in the game following the 2010 season. But he was claimed on waivers by the Cubs—who have a heavy Red Sox presence—but became a free agent after the season and signed with the Tigers. He went 1-1, 4.57 at Triple-A Toledo.
• Cardinals 2B Luke Doyle
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Refusal to take drug test
Doyle, a 20th-round pick in 2015 from Yavapai (Ariz.) JC, has not played this season. He hit .207/.345/.354 a year ago at Rookie-level Johnson City.
| July 20 |
• Diamondbacks LHP Angelo Almonte
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Almonte, 22, had a 1.67 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 27 innings in the DSL.
• Yankees RHP Jean Peralta
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Peralta, 22, had a 3.97 ERA in six appearances in the DSL.
• White Sox RHP Joselo Pinales
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Pinales, 21, was 0-2, 4.20 in 12 appearances after being released by the Astros in January.
• Orioles RHP Wally Vrolijk
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Methylhexanamine
In 10 games in the DSL, Vrolijk went 2-2, 3.05.
| July 8 |
• Free agent C Cody Stanley
Suspension Length: 162 games
Violating Substances: dehydrochlormethyltestosterone
It’s the third suspension for the former UNC Wilmington catcher, who was the Cardinals’ No. 22 prospect after the 2014 season. He was suspended 80 games last September after testing positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a performance-enhancing drug, and was suspended for 50 games in March 2012 for testing positive for methylhexaneamine and tamoxifen. Stanley was called up on Sept. 1, 2015, and went 4-for-10 with the Cardinals.
| June 23 |
• Mariners CF Boog Powell
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: dehydrochlormethyltestosterone
Powell, part of the deal that sent Nathan Karns from the Rays to the Mariners, has an above-average hit tool. He has plus speed and has played all three outfield positions on his journey through the minor leagues. Evaluators are divided on whether his tools will make him an everyday regular, or a quality fourth outfielder.
| June 3 |
• Yankees C Oliver Cedeno; LHP Jean Carlos De Jesus; RHP Arikson Ramirez; RHP Leyfer Ramirez; RHP Jhostin Vargas
Suspension Length: 25 games
Violating Substances: Undisclosed violation of JDA
Each of the Yankees’ players were on the roster of their DSL2 team.
• Athletics RHP Oscar Tovar
Tovar, who signed with the A’s on July 18, 2014, was 3-5, 2.60 in the DSL a year ago. The Venezuelan just turned 18.
Suspension Length: 25 games
Violating Substances: Undisclosed violation of JDA
• Giants RHP Alvaro Diaz
Suspension Length: 56 games
Violating Substances: : Stanozolol
Signed out of the Dominican Republic on April 23, 2014, Diaz was 0-1, 7.24 in Rookie ball in 2015. He had yet to pitch in 2016.
| May 20 |
• Blue Jays OF David Harris
Suspension Length: 76 games
Violating Substances: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2
Selected by the Blue Jays in 36th round of the 2013 draft out of Southern Arkansas, Harris hasn’t hit much—.673 OPS—and hardly walks, just 30 times in more than 800 career minor league at-bats.
• Dodgers RHP Sebastian Martinez
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol and Furosemide
The 19-year-old Martinez, who has not pitched this season, was 1-0, 5.59 in eight appearances in the Dominican Summer League a year ago.
• Rockies RHP Jose Rodriguez
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Boldenone
Rodriguez, 20, was 1-1, 3.31 in 2015 in the DSL, striking out 30 in 32 2/3 innings.
• Mariners RHP Jose Luis Santiago
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: Stanozolol
Santiago, 22, was signed by Seattle in February 2013. He reached short-season ball a year ago, striking out 44 in 47 innings, but walking 28.
| May 13 |
• Astros OF Marc Wik
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
The versatile Wik, who played every position but catcher, pitcher and center field a year ago, was drafted in the 21st round in 2012 out of Chabot (Calif.) JC. A stocky lefthander hitter and righthanded thrower, Wik does a little bit of everything. He has average power, good strike zone awareness and can steal a base. He’ll be 24 in July and has yet to play above high Class A.
| May 10 |
• Blue Jays RHP Clinton Hollon
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
The Blue Jays drafted Hollon, from Woodford County High in Versailles, Ky., 47th overall in 2013, and paid him $467,280 to pass on a Kentucky commitment. Hollon started throwing in the mid-90s after his sophomore season, establishing himself as a potential first-round pick for 2013, but his stock dipped after elbow tendinitis sapped his arm strength toward the end of that summer. Prior to the draft, questions persisted about his maturity. After just six appearances in 2013, he had Tommy John surgery in 2014 and returned to the mound in 2015, making 12 appearances in short-season and low Class A. He said he was touching 96 mph in June, but he was suspended in August for using amphetamines. He has not pitched this season as he was still serving the suspension from last August.
• Twins RHP Logan Lombana
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: Ibutamoren
The former Long Beach State reliever was a 25th-round pick of the Twins last June. In parts of two seasons as a pro, he has struck out more than a batter per inning and walked about 3.2 batters per nine.
| April 28 |
• Twins 1B Reynaldo Rodriguez
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol
The career minor leaguer, now 29, was Triple-A Rochester’s MVP last season when he slashed .255/.307/.446 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs. In 3,006 minor league at-bats, the Colombia native has an .804 OPS. Rodriguez signed with the Yankees in 2003 as a 17-year-old and over the next four years had solid success in the Dominican Summer League, but was released in 2007. He bounced back by leading the Colombian Winter League in hitting, then was named rookie of the year of the independent Golden League in 2009 and was picked by J.J. Cooper as indy ball’s top prospect that fall. Off that success, he returned to affiliated ball with the Red Sox and signed with the Twins in 2012.
| April 25 |
• Free agent RHP Brent Jones
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Jones was Cornell’s highest-ever drafted player when the Diamondbacks popped him in the fourth round in 2014. The big righthander got his fastball up to 97, but sits 88-93 with good sink that generates grounders. He also throws a spike curve that flashed plus and a changeup that needs development if he wants to be a starter. He had not pitched in 2016 after being released last week by the Diamondbacks.
• Free agent SS Travious Relaford
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (third positive test)
The cousin of ex-big leaguer Desi Relaford, Travious was a fourth-round pick in 2011 out of Hinds (Miss.) CC. Relaford is athletic with good arm strength, but remains a project offensively, hitting just .251/.313./292 as a pro.
| April 18 |
• Rays RHP Damion Carroll
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
The Rays signed Carroll for $187,500 in the sixth round of the 2012 draft, with the realization that the raw righthander would require plenty of work after an amateur career that included as much emphasis on basketball as it did on baseball. Five years—and just 106 innings—later, that rawness is still evident. Carroll has struggled with command, averaging 8.5 walks per nine innings. He’s also averaged 9.7 strikeouts per nine, flashing the arm strength that has made him intriguing.
• Tigers RHP Spenser Watkins
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
A 30th-round pick out of Western Oregon in 2014, Watkins has been impressive as a pro, striking out nearly a batter an inning. He was repeating low Class A this season.
| April 12 |
• Giants RHP David Graybill
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Graybill, whose grandfather and father played minor league ball, ranked No. 447 in the BA500 a year ago. Drafted out of Arizona State in the ninth round by the Giants, Graybill got into just five games in 2015, but was on the Giants’ instructional league roster. On a team that included Ryan Burr, Brett Lilek and Ryan Kellogg, Graybill might have been the best arm on the staff. The righthander has a fastball that sits 94-95 mph and touches 97, but his secondary pitches lag behind. He struggles to throw strikes and is still developing a feel for pitching.
• Braves RHP Alger Hodgson
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol
Hodgson, a 17-year-old Nicaraguan, signed with the Braves in January. He has yet to throw a pitch in affiliated ball.
| April 7 |
• Free agent OF Henry Charles
Suspension Length: 76 games
Violating Substances: metabolite of Nandrolone
Charles, a lefthanded hitter who slashed .244/.318/.364 across five minor league seasons since signing as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic with the Padres in November 2010, was released March 31.
• Free agent RHP Adam Reifer
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: Ostarine
Reifer, who’ll be 30 in June, signed with the Rays in February after pitching in the Mexican League last season, but was released March 23. A teammate of the Red Sox’s Joe Kelly while at UC Riverside, Reifer has always thrown hard, touching 98 in his salad days, but his control wavered as a pro. He bounced from the Cardinals—who drafted him in the 11th round in 2007, two years before they drafted Kelly—to the Marlins, Giants and Phillies before winding up with Yucatan, where a 1.33 ERA and 21 saves drew the Rays’ interest. He pitched four innings in spring for Tampa Bay, allowing six hits and three runs, walking none and striking out four.
• Padres OF Jose Urena
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: metabolite of Nandrolone
Urena, the Padres’ No. 24 prospect, was a member of Mexico’s 16U COPABE Pan American Championships that lost to Team USA in the championship game, and the Padres purchased his rights a year later from the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League for $550,000. After a poor 2014, Urena bounced back in a big way in 2015, leading the Northwest League in walks and finishing among the league leaders in homers and RBIs. At his best, Urena has a good feel for the game, a good approach at the plate and plus raw power generated by quick hands. He showed much improved plate discipline in 2015 with a confidence to spit on offspeed pitches he used to chase. After his subpar start at Fort Wayne in 2014, he was scheduled to return there this season, but the suspension will halt his development for now.
| March 29 |
• Orioles LHP Felix Rutledge
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Rutledge, who goes by Lex, was a sixth-round pick in 2012 out of Samford who ranked No. 25 in the Orioles’ system entering the 2013 season. Now 24, Rutledge spurned the Brewers to attend Samford when he was a 26th-round selection as a Mississippi prep product in 2009. He struggled with his command as a college starter, but thrived in the closer role as a freshman and junior, and he showed upper-90s velocity in two summers in the Cape Cod League. The Orioles planned to have him start, but abandoned that plan after he struggled to find the strike zone. Now a reliever, he had a 2.97 ERA in 58 innings in 2014 at high Class A Frederick but walked 5.8 batters per nine innings and did not pitch at all in 2015 after telling the Orioles in February 2015 that he was retiring.
• Diamondbacks LHP Cameron Smith
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Violation of program
Smith, primarily Texas Tech’s Saturday starter as a senior, was Arizona’s 36th-round pick last June. At short-season Missoula, however, he pitched largely in relief and dominated, not surprising given his age and experience against mostly teenagers. Smith is a command-over-stuff pitcher with a fastball that reaches the high 80s, but he had an eye-popping 62/7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the Pioneer League.
| March 29 |
• White Sox RHP Kameron Loe
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone metabolite and Methasterone
The 6-foot-8 Cal State Northridge alum has spent parts of nine seasons in the majors, going 34-43, 4.49 in 322 appearances and 48 starts. In camp with the White Sox this spring, Loe acknowledged the suspension on his Twitter account, apologizing and saying the suspension was “deeply embarrassing” but that he did not plan to retire.
• Diamondbacks OF Stephen Dezzi
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
A 25th-round pick out of Tampa last June, Dezzi slashed .208/.331/.329 in the short-season Northwest League. As a senior at Tampa, Dezzi led the team with 14 homers and struck out just 62 times in four college seasons with 68 walks.
| March 25 |
• Free agent RHP Tanner Kiest
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Kiest, 21, drafted by the Phillies in the 28th round out of Chaffee (Calif.) CC, was 2-0, 4.67 in his second season in the Rookie-level GCL. He was released last August by the Phillies and is currently a free agent. Kiest is known for his mid-90s fastball and struck out 13 batters per nine innings at Chaffee, but also walked 7.3 batters per nine.
• Reds RHP Jose Veras
Suspension Length: 72 games
Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol
Veras, no relation to the veteran righthanded reliever, has spent the past four seasons in the DSL, going 3-4, 1.86 in 2015. He exhibits good control, but doesn’t miss many bats.
| March 16 |
• Dodgers RHP Adrian Salcedo
Suspension Length: 144 games
Violating Substances: metabolite of Boldenone
Salcedo, signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Twins in 2007, ranked four times among the team’s Top 30 prospects, rising as high as No. 8 entering 2011. When healthy, Salcedo pounds the strike zone with a fastball that usually sits at 90-93 mph and a solid changeup. He finally got to Triple-A in 2015, but was granted free agency in November and signed with the Dodgers. Salcedo lost his luster in the Twins organization when he was suspended 80 games in April 2015 for using PEDs.
• Phillies RHP Skylar Hunter
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: drug of abuse
Hunter was a 12th-round pick last June out of The Citadel and went 3-3, 3.48 in 22 appearances, all in relief. A prep catcher who became the closer for The Citadel, Hunter has a solid three-pitch mix with a fastball up to 92 mph.
| March 4 |
• Free agent LHP Tyler Alexander
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (third positive test)
Not to be confused with the TCU lefthander drafted by the Tigers in the second round a year ago, Alexander was drafted by the Brewers in the 27th round of out Florida International in 2013. He was released by Milwaukee last June and hooked on with Fargo-Moorhead of the independent American Association
• Cardinals IF Luke Doyle
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamine
Selected by Cardinals in the 20th round last June out of Yavapai (Ariz.) JC, Doyle slashed just .207/.345/.354 for Rookie-level Johnson City, but did a good job of getting on base. The versatile infielder played third, second and first last year.
| Feb. 29 |
• Rangers 1B Trever Adams
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamines
Adams, 27, was drafted by the Rangers in 2011 in the 16th round out of Creighton. The righthanded-hitting first baseman in 2011 led the Bluejays to their first Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title since 2005 after transferring from Hutchinson (Kan.) CC. Strong and compact at 6 feet and 200 pounds, Adams has shown decent power, but can get overly aggressive at the plate, with a career .324 OBP as a pro.
• Blue Jays RHP Andrew Case
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Refusal to take drug test
Signed as a nondrafted free agent in 2013 out of Lethbridge (Alb.) JC, Case was the first player since Matt Stairs to sign out of the province of New Brunswick. He signed with the Jays after impressing the organization at the inaugural Tournament 12 in Canada. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 190 pounds, Case isn’t overpowering, sitting 88-90 mph and touching 92 with decent command.
• Indians RHP Jordan Dunatov
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Drafted out of Nevada as a pitcher after playing the outfield as an amateur, Dunatov is a wild card with a fastball that has touched 97 mph but injury issues, the latest being Tommy John surgery in June. Dunatov was originally drafted by the Pirates in the 14th round in 2011, but decided not to sign to attend Oregon State. He transferred to Central Arizona College for his sophomore season before transferring to Nevada in 2014.
• Free agent RHP Dan Urbina
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Signed as an international free agent by the Pirates out of Venezuela in 2011, the tall, slender Urbina has not advanced beyond Rookie ball, transitioning to the bullpen in 2015 and struggling. He was released in January.
| Feb. 16 |
• Athletics LHP Brandon Mann
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: Ostarine
Mann, signed by the Athletics in November, was originally drafted by the Rays when they were the Devil Rays, back in 2002 in the 27th round out of high school in Washington state. Now 31, he’s pitched the past two seasons in independent ball, last year for Fargo-Moorhead of thee American Association.
• Braves RHP Richie Tate
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (third positive test)
Tate, who reached high Class A this season for the first time, was drafted in the 14th round in 2010 out of high school. A reliever since turning pro, Tate has struggled with command of the fastball, walking 4.7 batters per nine including six per nine at Carolina this season.
| Feb. 5 |
• Padres RHP Ryan Butler
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
A large-framed righthander, Butler’s fastball sits 91-95 mph as a starter but ticked up to 98 out of the bullpen. The absence of a reliable second pitch and a hitch in his delivery make it likely that Butler’s future lies in relief, but the Padres planned to have him start to build innings. The suspension hampers his development.
• Reds OF Juan Duran
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: Drostanolone, Stanozolol and Nandrolone
Duran signed in February 2008 for $2 million as the Reds capitalized on a loophole discovered by then-assistant GM Bob Miller to sign him months before teams knew he’d be available. Since then, he’s teased, tantalized and ultimately flummoxed the Reds and has not been ranked in the team’s Top 30 prospects since before the 2012 season. Still just 24, the 6-foot-7 Duran has tremendous raw power—he slugged .467 a year ago even in a down season—but he’s overly aggressive and has poor pitch recognition. Missing more than half the season won’t help his development.
• Diamondbacks RHP Austin Mason
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Mason, a 17th-round pick of the Diamondbacks from the Citadel last June, Mason was 2-0, 3.21 in 28 appearances, all in relief. Mason struck out 30 in 28 innings for Missoula of the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Mason was primarily a starter in college.
• White Sox RHP Lucas Shearrow
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2014, Shearrow, who attended Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), was 3-3, 3.17 in 19 games, five starts, with 26 strikeouts in 48 innings for Rookie-level Great Falls of the Pioneer League.
| Jan. 28 |
• Giants RHP Dylan Brooks
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Not disclosed
The 6-foot-7 Canadian, drafted in the 30th round in 2013 out of high school in North Dorchester, Ontario, was suspended for the second time in a year. He was 1-2, 2.25 with three saves in 2015 as he spent his third straight year at Rookie-level AZL.
• Free agent IF Luis Mateo
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamines
Mateo, 25, was drafted by the Cardinals in the 20th round of 2008 draft and has spent time in the Dodgers and Braves’ organizations before being released in January. He has a career .652 OPS as a pro.
• Free agent IF Tyler Palmer
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Refusal to take drug test
Palmer, 23, was suspended 50 games a year ago for using amphetamines and recreational drugs. Palmer was drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round in 2011 but was hampered by a hand injury that required three surgeries. He finished his amateur career in 2014 at Thomas (Ga.) and was the top prospect in the NAIA before he was signed by the Yankees as a nondrafted free agent in June 2014. He did not play in 2015 and was released by the Yankees in August.
| Jan. 22 |
• Free agent RHP Derrick Bernard
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (third positive test)
Bernard, an undrafted free agent from Sul Ross State (Texas) who signed with the Mets in June 2014, appeared in six games with the GCL Mets that summer. This is the third suspension for the former college quarterback. He was suspended in August 2014 for using Nandrolone and then hit last June for using a drug of abuse. He has not pitched since June 2014 and was released by the Mets earlier this month.
• Free agent RHP Jared Burton
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Burton, now 34, has logged eight seasons in the majors, posting a 3.44 ERA for the Reds and Twins. He spent 2015 in the Yankees’ and Rangers’ organizations.
• Royals RHP Matt Murray
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Amphetamines
Murray, 26, was drafted in the 10th round in 2011 out of Georgia Southern, which has also produced the Brewers’ Victor Roache. Murray reached Triple-A for the first time this season, but struggled with command for the first time after walking fewer than 3 batters per nine innings in his career.
| Jan. 19 |
• Mets 3B Eudor Garcia
Suspension Length: 80 games
Violating Substances: Bumetanide and Furosemide
Garcia is part of the on the Mets’ Top 30 Prospects in the 2016 Prospect Handbook. He hit .296 to rank sixth in the South Atlantic League batting race in 2015 and finished inside the top 30 for extra-base hits. He shows plus bat speed and enough loft power to hit for solid-average power. He doesn’t walk much and strikes out a bit excessively, so he must tone down his aggressiveness to get the most out of his potential.
• Orioles LHP Zack Dodson
Suspension Length: 100 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (third positive test)
Dodson, signed last month by the Orioles as a six-year free agent, was suspended 50 games in 2012 for the same charge. He was on the Double-A Bowie roster. Dodson was a fourth-round pick of the Pirates in 2009 and rose as high as No. 18 in their system following the 2010 season. Dodson was 7-10, 3.67 at Double-A Altoona in 2015.
• Free agent 1B Tyler Williams
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Williams was a 43rd-round pick of the White Sox out of high school in 2009, but didn’t sign, although his father Kenny was general manager at the time and is still an executive of the franchise today. He was signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Diamondbacks in 2011 and released that July before hooking on with the White Sox. He was released in November after posting some subpar offensive numbers and is currently a free agent.
| Jan. 8 |
• Cubs RHP P.J. Francescon
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
A 40th-round pick of the Cubs out of Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) in 2011, the 27-year-old Francescon was 4-2, 1.47 with 22 saves at Double-A and Triple-A in 2015. He moved to the bullpen in 2014 and shined but really broke out this season and reached Triple-A for the first time.
• Indians RHP Joseph Colon
Suspension Length: 50 games
Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test)
Colon, soon to be 26, was drafted out of Huertas (P.R.) JC—which did not have a baseball program at the time—in the 12th round in 2009. He was 3-0, 3.14 in 33 appearances at Double-A and Triple-A, averaging just about a strikeout per inning. A converted third baseman, Colon moved to the bullpen in 2015 and more than doubled his SO per nine innings when he reached Triple-A.
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