2017 Minor League Drug Suspensions

SEE ALSO: 2016 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 2017. 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.

Sept. 1

• Blue Jays RHP Luis Pena Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol The 6-foot-4, 246-pound Pena, 19, was 1-0, 5.79 in 4.2 innings in the DSL. • Mets LHP Jose Sierra Suspension Length: 56 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol A New York native drafted in the 23rd round, Sierra walked 12 in 11 innings.

Aug. 18

• Orioles OF Markel Jones Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Jones is a 33rd-round pick in 2016 from Brunswick (N.C.) JC. • Cardinals C Tyler Lancaster Suspension Length: 76 games Violating Substances: Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone A 16th-round pick in 2016 from Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) JC, Lancaster has a sturdy 6-foot-3, 215-pound body and pull power in his lefthanded swing. He’s not the most nimble receiver but catches the ball and blocks well. He controlled the strike zone well this year in short-season ball. • Mets C Luis Lebron Suspension Length: 25 games Violating Substances: Undisclosed violation of joint drug program

Aug. 11

• Marlins OF Cameron Baranek Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Stimulant Baranek was a ninth-round pick in June from Hope International (Calif.), signing for $125,000. Baranek has overcome numerous injuries and Tourette’s syndrome. He has tick above average power and plus-plus speed that doesn’t quite play that well on the bases. • Braves RHP Madinson Colon Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol Signed June 1, Colon, 19, was 0-3, 18.41 in the DSL with an astounding 17 walks in just 7.1 innings.

July 28

• Angels RHP Aaron Cox Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Methylphenidate and its metabolite A 19th-round pick in 2015 from Gannon (Pa.), Cox was 3-2, 3.94 at low Class A Burlington with 10 saves. A two-way player in college, Cox has a mid-90s fastball and a hard slider. • Free agent LHP Silvestre Berroa Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: Boldenone and metabolite, as well as metabolites of Stanozolol Berroa, 20, had spent the past three seasons in the Brewers organization in the DSL.

July 21

• Angels RHP Greg Belton Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Amphetamine A 27th-round pick in 2016 who was the closer at Sam Houston State, Belton was was 1-2, 4.55 with three saves at low Class A Burlington and high Class A Inland Empire. • Reds RHP Brian Hunter Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Ipamorelin A ninth-round pick in 2014 from Hartford, Hunter had a 2.51 ERA and four saves this year with low Class A Daytona, striking out 37 in 28.2 innings. • Dodgers RHP Ivan Vieitez Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Ritalinic Acid A 27th-round pick from Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) in 2015, Vieitez is 2-3, 4.77 in eight starts and three relief appearances for Double-A Tulsa and high Class A Rancho Cucamonga.

July 14

• Free agent IF Eudor Garcia Suspension Length: 100 games Violating Substances: drug of abuse (third positive test) The Mets’ fourth-round pick in 2014 from El Paso JC, Garcia has power and hit ability, but New York released him last month. He faces a long suspension once he signs with his new organization. • Free agent DH Xavier Turner Suspension Length: 100 games Violating Substances: drug of abuse (third positive test) A 19th-round pick of the Rangers in 2015 from Vanderbilt, Turner was released in May and has not played in 2017. • Rockies LHP Austin Wright Suspension Length: Remainder of season Violating Substances: Clomiphene Originally an eighth-round pick of the Phillies in 2011 from Mississippi, Wright ranked in the Phillies’ top 30 from 2011-13. The big lefthander, now 27, was at Double-A Hartford this season.

June 21

• Giants RHP Joan Gregorio Suspension Length: Remainder of season Violating Substances: Stanozolol Gregorio, the Giants’ No. 7 prospect, has been out since June 18 with a back injury and was expected to miss a month. Now he’ll miss the rest of the season. The 6-foot-7 righthander was considered a possible addition to the big league bullpen, which is probably his future home because of his inconsistent command (4.3 walks per nine this season). • Indians RHP Joseph Colon Suspension Length: Remainder of season Violating Substances: Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) LGD-4022 Colon, 27, who spent 11 games in the majors last season, was a 12th-round pick of the Indians in 2009 from Huertas (P.R.) JC. • Royals C M.J. Sanchez Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone A 35th-round pick from California Baptist last June, Sanchez had a .505 OPS this season at low Class A.

June 21

• Marlins C Roy Morales Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol One evaluator called Morales the Marlins’ best catching prospect. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder has a strong, durable body. He has average bat speed, giving him potential for average power, but he has not tapped into it in games. Morales has some feel to hit and grinds at-bats.

June 19

• Twins LHP Cam Booser Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse A nondrafted free agent from Central Arizona CC who was signed in 2013, Booser, 25, was 0-0, 3.38 with seven walks in just 2.2 innings. For his career, Booser has walked 7.6 batters per nine innings while striking out 11.8 per nine. The former prep football player had Tommy John surgery in 2011. At his best, Booser has a fastball that touches mid-90s. • Yankees RHP Matt Marsh Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse Another nondrafted free agent, Marsh was signed out of Liberty in 2014. Marsh, who also played collegiately at Austin Peay and Chipola (Fla.) JC, transitioned full-time to the bullpen in 2016. Not a hard-thrower Marsh relies on command.

June 15

• Dodgers RHP Jair Jurrjens Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: exogenous Testosterone Jurrjens, now 31, was a top prospect for the Tigers and Braves in the early and mid-2000s but had not pitched in the majors since 2012. He returned to affiliated ball with the Dodgers in 2017 after missing 2016 and was 4-3, 4.64 at Triple-A Oklahoma City. With just 78 games left, he’ll miss the remainder of the season.

June 9

• Free agent RHP Jose Hernandez Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol • Red Sox RHP Yankory Pimentel Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol Pimentel, who signed in 2011 from the Dominican Republic, pitched at high Class A Salem and Double-A Portland, going 3-1, 2.45. • Rangers RHP Yerry Rodriguez Suspension Length: 75 games Violating Substances: Hydrochlorothiazide Rodriguez, 19, was 1-0, 0.00 in one start this season in the DSL.

May 31

• Orioles INF Robert Andino Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Amphetamine Andino, 33, got 24 at-bats in the big last season with Miami. He’s got a .612 OPS in 1,344 big league at-bats. • Orioles OF Johnny Dixon Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol Dixon, 20, from Panama, has a career .666 OPS in two seasons in the Rookie-level DSL. • Diamondbacks LHP Bryan Valdez Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol Valdez, 22, was 6-1, 1.73 a year ago in 13 appearances in the DSL.

May 16

• Tigers RHP Tommy Collier Suspension Length: 100 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (third positive test) Collier, a Tommy John survivor who was a key part of San Jacinto’s 2009 College World Series, has not pitched this season after going 9-7, 4.20 in his second season at Double-A Erie. • Free agent RHP Montreal Robertson Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Robertson, who last pitched in the Tigers organization in 2015, is also a Tommy John survivor. He twice ranked in Detroit’s Top 30 Prospects. • Nationals RHP Jefry Rodriguez Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Clomiphene Rodriguez, who is 3-2, 3.51 at high Class A Potomac, has twice ranked in the Nats’ Top 30, most recently No. 19 after 2014. He’s a former infielder known for his arm speed and he’s shown better command this season.

May 9

• Angels LHP John Lamb Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Originally a fifth-round pick of the Royals in 2008 from high school in California, Lamb five times ranked in a team’s top 11 prospects, including No. 11 with the Reds as recently as 2016. Lamb was traded to the Reds in July 2015 as part of the package for righthander Johnny Cueto. Brandon Finnegan and Cody Reed are still in the Reds organization but Lamb has bounced from the Reds to the Rays and Angels in the past six months. He had not pitched in 2017 but was on the Triple-A Salt Lake roster after having surgery on his back in October.

May 3

• Tigers RHP Paul Voelker Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Amphetamine The 2014 10th-round pick from Dallas Baptist is 0-1, 3.97 with two saves this season. Just 5-foot-10, Voelker still possesses an above-average fastball, sitting at 92-94 mph and reaching 97, and an average slider.

April 28

• Mariners IF Miguel Gamboa Suspension Length: 56 games Violating Substances: Nandrolone Gamboa, who hit .261/.387/.369 in the DSL last summer, has not played this season.

April 24

• Mariners RHP Jonathan Aro Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Violation of drug agreement Aro originally signed with Boston for just $10,000 in 2011 out of the Dominican Republic. He reached the majors in 2015 and was sent to Seattle along with lefthander Wade Miley for righthanded reliever Carson Smith and lefty swingman Roenis Elias. • Indians RHP Steve Delabar Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Ostarine Delabar, 33, signed with the Indians in January but has not pitched in 2017. The hard-throwing righthander was an all-star in 2013 when he averaged 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings, but struggled with control the past three seasons. He walked 10 batters in eight innings in 2016 with the Reds and later played for the Hiroshima Carp in the Japan Central League. • Free agent RHP Jeffry Fernandez Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Stanozolol Fernandez was released by Boston in March after six years in the organization.

April 14

• Phillies LHP Elniery Garcia Suspension Length: 80 games Violating Substances: Boldenone Garcia, the Phillies’ No. 27 prospect, was added to the 40-man roster in November after going 12-4, 2.68 in 2016. The slight lefthander has sneaky life to his fastball and has a solid four-pitch mix. He had yet to pitch this season because of a shoulder issue.

April 7

• Pirates RHP Junior Lopez Suspension Length: 25 games Violating Substances: undisclosed violation of drug program Lopez, 25, has pitched two innings above high Class A since signing in 2013 from the Dominican Republic.

April 6

• Giants RHP Jose Dominguez Suspension Length: 142 games Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol (second positive) Dominguez, 26, signed with the Giants in December after spending 2016 with the Padres. He’s also pitched in the majors for the Dodgers, who originally signed him out of the Dominican Republic, and the Rays. • Yankees LHP Miguel Sulbaran Suspension Length: 25 games Violating Substances: undisclosed violation of drug program Acquired from the Twins for Eduardo Nunez in 2014, Sulburan did not pitch in 2016 due to injury. • Mariners RHP Frank Encarnacion Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol Encarnacion, 22, has spent the past three season in Rookie-level DSL. He was 4-3, 2.37 in 17 games (three starts) in 2016. • Mariners RHP Andy Taveras Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol Taveras, 21, was a teammmate of Encarnacion in the DSL. He was 1-3, 6.98 in 15 relief appearances. • Tigers RHP Jose Ramirez Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol Ramirez, 19, was 2-2, 8.28 in 16 relief appearances in the DSL. Ramirez walked 30 in 25 innings.

April 4

• Astros SS Jonathan Arauz Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Methamphetamine Arauz, the Astros’ No. 17 prospect, was acquired from the Phillies along with Ken Giles in the trade that sent Vince Velasquez and four others East. Arauz was expected to begin the season at low Class A Quad Cities. Arauz lacks a plus tool, but has a well-rounded skill set with an above-average throwing arm. • Dodgers RHP Edward Perez Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: metabolites of Stanozolol Perez, 21, spent the past three seasons in the DSL, going 5-1, 1.69 in 21 appearances all in relief in 2016. He struck out 9.8 batters per nine innings, but walked 4.8, in line with his career numbers. • Red Sox SS Jeremy Rivera Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Undisclosed violation of drug program The Puerto Rico-born Rivera, a 17th-round pick out of El Paso CC in 2014, slashed .260/.300/.334 last season at low Class A Greenville. He was scheduled to begin the season at high Class A Salem. • Giants C Cody Brickhouse Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Brickhouse, a 15th-round pick in 2015 out of Sarasota (Fla.) High, spent the past two season in the Rookie-level AZL, and got just 48 at-bats in 2016. • Nationals 2B Emmanuel Burriss Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) The veteran Burris, originally a supplemental first-round pick by the Giants in 2006 out of Kent State, got 45 at-bats in the majors last season with the Phillies. He’s listed on the Nationals’ Triple-A roster after signing as a minor league free agent in December. • Angels SS Keith Grieshaber Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Grieshaber was a 16th-round pick last June out of Jefferson (Mo.) JC. He slashed .317/.362/.405 at two Rookie-level clubs in 2016 and was listed to start the season again at short-season Orem. • Reds RHP Ian Kahaloa Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Kahaloa, the Reds’ No. 26 prospect, impressed in 10 starts at short-season Billings last season. The 19-year-old Hawaiian, a fifth-round pick in 2015, has average stuff that plays up thanks to his ability to hide the ball and work the bottom of the zone. He was expected to begin the year back in Rookie ball. • Giants C Ty Ross Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Ross, 25, was a 12th-round pick in 2013 out of Louisiana State. A solid catch-and-throw guy, Ross has not hit much as a pro and has spent the past two seasons at high Class A.

Feb. 15

• Free agent OF L.J. Hoes Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Hoes, a third-round pick of the Orioles in 2008, spent 2016 in the Baltimore organization after being purchased from the Astros in November 2015. Hoes was traded by Baltimore along with Josh Hader in an ill-advised deal for righthander Bud Norris at the non-waiver trade deadline in 2013. Hader has gone on to become the top lefthanded prospect and No. 33 overall in the Top 100 Prospects. • Braves IF Gabe Howell Suspension Length: 68 games Violating Substances: Hydrochlorothiazide Howell, 18, was a 20th-round pick from Trion (Ga.) High last June. He hit .150/.292/.150 in just 20 at-bats for the Rookie-level GCL Braves. • Diamondbacks C Ryan January Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Amphetamine January, 19, was an eighth-round pick last June out of San Jacinto (Texas) JC. At Rookie-level Missoula, January showed the above-average lefthanded power he was projected to have, slugging 10 homers in just 183 at-bats. He has the tools to catch with above-average arm strength, but he needs refinement. • Cardinals LHP Corey Littrell Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Littrell, a 2013 fifth-round pick from Kentucky, is the remaining player from the Allen Craig-John Lackey deal with the Red Sox in 2014. He went 2-4, 3.90 in 53 appearances this season, recording 49 strikeouts in 51.1 innings at Triple-A Memphis. His velocity jumped, and he held lefties to a .177 average and was thought to have a shot at a bullpen spot left vacant by Zach Duke’s elbow surgery. • Rockies IF Yeremi Rosario Suspension Length: 72 games Violating Substances: Tamoxifen In two seasons in the DSL, the slightly built Rosario, 19, has compiled just a .534 OPS. The Rockies signed Rosario for $800,000 in 2014, their second-biggest bonus of the 2014-15 signing period.

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Jan. 13

• Reds RHP Carlos Gonzalez Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Methamphetamine Gonzalez, 26, was a 21st-round pick in 2011 out of Cal State Northridge. He’s gotten to Double-A each of the past three seasons, recording eight saves for Pensacola in 2016. • Mets RHP Gary Cornish Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Amphetamine Cornish, a 19th-round pick out of San Diego last June, was 0-0, 2.16 with three saves and 44 strikeouts in just 25 innings at short-season Brooklyn. Cornish isn’t overpowering, with a fastball that sits low 90s, but he has outstanding command, with a 44/3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He throws a four-seam fastball, two-seamer and a curveball that has slurve action. • Astros RHP Makay Nelson Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Amphetamine Nelson was a 20th-round pick in 2015 from JC of Southern Idaho. He was a starting pitcher as a prep player in Utah, but with his small stature profiles better as a reliever. His fastball touches 95 mph out of the bullpen. • Red Sox C Tyler Spoon Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Amphetamine A 35th-round pick in 2015 out of Arkansas, Spoon was drafted 34 rounds after—and by the same team as—the guy he hit behind for the Razorbacks. Spoon protected Andrew Benintendi at Arkansas and led the team in doubles in 2015. An outfielder in college, Spoon has been primarily a catcher as a pro. • Tigers RHP Tommy Collier Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Collier, 27, a 22nd-round pick in 2011 out of San Jacinto (Texas) JC, has pitched the past four seasons at Double-A Erie. Collier relies on a fastball that sits in the 90-92 mph range with good sinking action, a slider that can be a plus pitch at times along with a changeup. • Free agent IF Kal Simmons Suspension Length: 50 games Violating Substances: Drug of abuse (second positive test) Simmons, an eighth-round pick by the Diamondbacks in 2015 out of Kennesaw State, was released by Arizona on Jan. 4. Simmons was ranked the 10th-best draft-eligible prospect in Georgia in 2015, but he played in just 16 games this season after serving a 50-game suspension levied in September 2015 for testing positive for amphetamines. At his best, Simmons got praised for a high baseball IQ and a solid overall skill set.