Two Minor League Players Handed 56 Game Drug Suspensions

Two Prospects Suspended

Major League Baseball has handed out suspensions to two young prospects. Washington Nationals catcher Francisco Rivero and free agent pitcher Raudi Perez will each serve a 56 game suspension. Both players tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.

Rivero was suspended under the standard minor league drug program on Friday. Perez was disciplined under the drug program for minor league players assigned outside of the United States and Canada. Perez is currently a free agent, so his suspension will officially begin once he signs a contract with a Major League Baseball organization.

The Background on Rivero and Perez

Francisco Rivero is an 18 year old catcher who signed with the Washington Nationals in July. He received a signing bonus of 250,000 dollars. He has not yet played in any minor league games.

Raudi Perez is a 19 year old pitcher who signed with the San Diego Padres in January for a 25,000 dollar bonus. He pitched in the Dominican Summer League, where he made six starts and eight relief appearances. During that time, he posted an 0-4 record with a 7.09 ERA and recorded one save. The Padres released Perez on September 10.

A Growing List of Penalties

These two suspensions bring the total number of players disciplined for drug violations this year to 13. Most of these cases have occurred in the minor leagues, but two players were disciplined under the major league drug agreement.

Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar received a suspension for the entire season on March 3. He tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites. This was his second offense under the major league drug agreement.

Free agent outfielder Max Kepler also served a ban this year. He was suspended for 80 games on January 9 after testing positive for Epitrenbolone. Kepler later signed with Arizona and made his return to the major leagues on June 26.