NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Astros pitcher Julio Rodriguez was suspended for 80 games Friday by Major League Baseball under the minor league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Nandrolone.
A 25-year-old right-hander, Rodriguez was 2-0 with a 6.40 ERA in 21 relief appearances for High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi. After making 18 appearances for the Tourists, he was promoted on June 17.
Rodriguez was signed by San Francisco for a $300,000 bonus in March 2018 and reached Triple-A for a pair of games with Sacramento last July 1 and 3, then ended the season with Double-A Richmond. He was selected by Houston last December in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft.
Rodriguez is the eighth player suspended this year for a positive test, the sixth under minor league programs. on March 31 and on May 25 under the major league program.
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The Associated Press
