Braves minor league pitcher Rafael Cruz suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs
Atlanta Braves minor leaguer Rafael Cruz has been suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Baseball announced on Tuesday that the right-handed reliever tested positive for traces of Stanozolol (stah-NO'-zo-lall), a manmade steroid.
The right-hander is 1-1 in eight relief appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett. He signed a minor league deal as a free agent in January after spending the past two years with Chunichi in Japan. He didn't pitch for Chunichi last season because of injuries.
The 32-year-old Cruz began his pro career as a catcher before switching to pitching.
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