NEW YORK (AP) — Two minor leaguers in the Cincinnati Reds’ organization have been suspended for violating baseball’s drug program.
Third baseman Ernest Vasquez and right-hander James Walczak each tested positive for an amphetamine and received 50-game penalties. Both players were with Class A Dayton, and their suspensions will begin next season.
Free agent right-hander Frank Diaz was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol. His ban will start when he signs with another major league organization.
The commissioner’s office announced the penalties Monday, making it 100 suspensions this year under baseball’s major and minor league drug programs. There have been 95 minor league suspensions, up from 71 last year.
