Eddie Rosario’s hopes of getting off to a fast start next season were dashed today when he was suspended 50 games, according to a report in Puerto Rico, via the Star Tribune.
Rosario was playing winter ball in Puerto Rico.
Rosario, a highly rated infielder who played for the Twins’ Double-A affiliate in New Britain for the majority of last season, violated Major League Baseball’s drug policy. According to sportlivepr.com, Rosario said he tested positive for pills he was taking to help heal an arm injury.
Per the Pioneer Press, MLB has not announced Rosario’s suspension.
Rosario, 22, recently hit .238 in 20 games at the ultra-competitive Arizona Fall League. He is considered one of the Twins top minor league prospects.
In another Twins story, the team traded right-handed reliever Duke Welker to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Kris Johnson, a left-handed starter who went 10-4 with a 2.39 ERA at Triple-A last season.
In four big league appearances, Johnson went 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA.
Welker played in the Twins’ minor league system after he came to Minnesota as part of the Justin Morneau trade.
