3 minor leaguers suspended for drug violations

Published April 28, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) Baltimore pitcher Zack Dodson has been suspended 100 games under baseball's minor league drug program following a third positive test for a drug of abuse, his second ban in five years.

In addition, New York Mets third baseman Eudor Garcia was banned 80 games after a positive test for Bumetanide, diuretic that can mask steroids, and Furosemide, a diuretic sold under the name Lasix. Free agent first baseman Tyler Williams was penalized 50 games for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.

Dodson, a 25-year-old left-hander, was taken by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2009 amateur draft and made it as high as Altoona of the Double-A Eastern League, where he was 7-10 with a 3.67 ERA in 27 starts and one relief appearance last season. He became a minor league free agent in November and signed with Baltimore last month.

Dodson was suspended for 50 games in August 2012 for a violation involving a drug of abuse. He is on the roster of Bowie of the Double-A Eastern League.

Garcia, 21, was a fourth-round draft pick in 2014. He hit .296 with nine homers and 59 RBIs last year for Columbia of the Class A South Atlantic League.

Williams, 25, was released by Winston-Salem of the Class A Carolina League in October, and his suspension will start when he signs with a big league organization. He hit .244 last year with one homer and 30 RBIs for Kannapolis of the South Atlantic League and Winston-Salem.

There have been five suspensions this year under the minor league program.

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