NEW YORK -- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Adrian Salcedo has been suspended for 144 games under baseball's minor league drug program following a positive test for a metabolite of Boldenone, a banned performance-enhancing substance.
While with the Minnesota Twins' organization last year, Salcedo was suspended for 80 games on April 29 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Tamoxifen and the banned stimulant Heptaminol. He returned to make seven appearances in August at Double-A and Triple-A, then was suspended for 100 games on Sept. 1 following a positive test for Heptimonal.
Salcedo became a six-year minor league free agent after the season and signed with the Dodgers in September. The suspension announced Wednesday will start after the 25-year-old right-hander finishes his current suspension.
In addition, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Skylar Hunter was suspended 50 games for a second positive test for a drug of abuse. A 22-year-old right-hander selected on the 12th round of last year's amateur draft, Hunter was 3-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Williamsport in the Class A New York-Penn League.
Twenty-three players have been suspended this year for violations of the minor league program.
