Twins and D-Backs Prospects Suspended 72 Games for PED Use
Three minor leaguers were suspended 72 games Friday after testing positive for Stanozolol--a performance-enhancing drug.
Twins' pitcher Jesus Medina and Diamondbacks' infielder Teofilo Mendez will serve their suspensions immediately, while free agent pitcher Wandy Moya will have to wait until he signs a contract to begin his suspension.
Twins RHP Jesus Medina, D-backs INF Teofilo Mendez and free agent RHP Wandy Moya have been suspended for testing positive for Stanozolol. https://t.co/Fgr8YiLzDX
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 19, 2019
Medina and Mendez are currently playing in the Dominican Summer League, where their numbers have been less than impressive. For the Twins' affiliate, the 17-year old Medina posted a 7.13 ERA in almost 18 innings. Mendez was only hitting .170 with an OBP of .302 in 25 games with the Diamondbacks' affiliate.
Moya was released by the Marlins' Dominican Summer League affiliate on Monday after posting an 8.44 ERA in 5.1 innings this year.
These three are only a few of a number of suspensions in the minors this year. According to MiLB, there have been 28 drug-related suspensions this season. Suspensions due to use of Stanozolol are a common occurrence in the Dominican Summer League.
Per MLB, Indians Minor League outfielder Carlos Ventura (Rookie-level Dominican Summer League) has received a 72-game suspension for testing positive for Stanozolol, a PED in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 16, 2018
The suspensions don't immediately impact any of the teams involved, as the young players are ways away from making their major league debuts. Regardless, a suspension is never a good look for an aspiring young baseball player.