LOS ANGELES – A pair of Braves low-level minor league pitchers drew 72-game suspensions after testing positive for steroids in violation of the new minor league drug prevention and treatment program.
Victor Joaquin and Alvaro Silvestre, both 20-year-old right-handers pitching in the Dominican Summer League, drew the suspensions without pay for the full length of a 72-game DSL season. The Major League Baseball commissioner’s office announced the suspensions Tuesday.
“We support MLB and we support the process,” said Bruce Manno, Braves assistant general and director of player development. “With the support and education we provide our players we are disappointed in positive test results, and we support MLB’s disciplinary action and the entire process.”
Joaquin, who was 3-4 with a 3.89 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings, was suspended after testing positive for a metabolite of Nandrolone, a steroid.
Silvestre, who was 3-0 with a 7.65 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 20 innings, was suspended after testing positive for a metabolite of Boldenone, also a steroid.
The commissioner’s office said these were the first suspensions for performance-enhancing substances under the new minor league drug prevention and treatment program and were effective immediately.
The rules of the new program call for first-violation suspensions in short-season leagues to be for 80 games or the length of the regular season in that league.
