NEW YORK (AP) — Cleveland Indians right-hander Dillon Howard has been suspended for 50 games without pay under baseball’s minor league drug program following a positive test for an amphetamine.
Howard, who turns 21 on Monday, was selected on the second round of the 2011 amateur draft with the 67th pick. He was 1-7 with a 7.90 ERA in 10 starts and two relief appearances last year for the rookie-level Arizona League Indians and has not pitched this season.
A first violation for a stimulant results in a suspension under the minor league drug program, but triggers only follow-up testing for players on 40-man major league rosters.
The suspension announced Friday was the 26th this year under the minor league program.
