NEW YORK (AP) - Four more minor league baseball players have been suspended for 50 games each following positive drug tests.
Washington shortstop Pedro Lopez, Detroit first baseman Cesar Nicolas, Pittsburgh pitcher Jose Acosta and free agent first baseman Jorge Castillo were penalized Tuesday by the commissioner’s office.
Lopez tested positive for Formestane, Nicolas for an amphetamine, Acosta for metabolites of the steroid Stanozolol and Castillo for Phenmetrazine, a stimulant.
The 26-year-old Lopez is with Triple-A Syracuse, where he is hitting .216 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 148 at-bats.
Nicolas was promoted this week to Triple-A Toledo after hitting .279 for Double-A Erie with seven homers and 38 RBIs in 244 at-bats.
Acosta is with the Pirates’ Venezuelan Summer League team. Castillo’s suspension will start if he signs with a major league organization.
There have been 60 suspensions this year under the minor league program. Cincinnati pitcher Edinson Volquez was suspended under the major league program.
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