Braves minor leaguer gets lengthy PED suspension

WASHINGTON – Braves minor league pitcher Alger Hodgson was slapped with a 72-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, wiping out what would have been his first professional season.

The Nicaraguan right-hander, who turned 17 Sunday, was suspended after testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol, the commissioner’s office said in announcing the suspension Tuesday. Hodgson signed with the Braves in January and was preparing for his first season in the Dominican Summer League, a rookie league.