Minnesota Twins prospect Eddie Rosario has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball.
The Pioneer Press reports Rosario is being suspended because it is the second time he has tested positive for a “drug of abuse.”
News of Rosario’s suspension originally leaked in November, but it wasn’t confirmed by MLB until Saturday.
Rosario is rated as the Twins’ third-best position prospect after reaching Double-A New Britain last season.
Published reports in Puerto Rico in mid-November quoted Rosario as suggesting he had mistakenly taken a banned substance after suffering an undisclosed arm injury. The Pioneer Press reports that a Twins official was surprised at the time noting that Rosario had not complained of arm troubles while playing in the Arizona Fall League.
The outfielder and second baseman will miss 50 games at the start of the season and he will also be required to undergo additional drug testing during the season, according to the Star Tribune.
A third positive test would result in a 100 game-suspension.
Rosario hit .329 in 52 games at Class A Fort Myers last season and .284 with seven home runs in 70 games at Class AA New Britain. Although he struggled in the Arizona Fall League hitting just .238 in 20 games against the better competition.
The Star Tribune notes he is the second Twins minor leaguer to be suspended for failing a drug test this offseason. Pitcher Dallas Gallant also received a 50-game suspension for testing positive for an amphetamine.
