Peoria Pitcher Drug Ban

[dundeecub]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Robert Hernandez was suspended for 50 games Thursday by the baseball commissioner's office after testing positive for the steroid stanozolol under the sport's minor league drug program.

The 19-year-old right-hander was 8-9 with a 4.34 ERA in 20 starts last season with Peoria of the Midwest League and currently is assigned to the same club.

The commissioner's office said that starting with Hernandez, it will identify the specific substances players test positive for under the minor league plan. It does not announce specific substances under the major league testing program, which is subject to collective bargaining with the players' association.

Hernandez became the third player suspended this year under the minor league program, following St. Louis pitcher Scott Vander Weg (positive test) and Kansas City Royals pitcher Jacob Rodriguez (failure to test).

There were 30 suspensions last year under the minor league program and eight under the major league plan.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Never heard of the guy: ok numbers for a 19 yo...

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=32260

[ryno4ever]

I saw him pitch a couple of times. Not bad.... but not the next Maddux or anything. If I'm not mistaken, the Chiefs cannot replace his roster spot.......yikes..

Position: P
Date of Birth: 10/07/1988
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 165 lbs
Pro Experience: 2005 Free Agent
College Experience: None
Bats: R
Throws: R
Resides: Valencia, VZ

Biography:

Robert was not only the youngest player on the Chiefs roster in 2007, but he was the youngest pitcher in all of the Midwest League at 18 years of age. The Venezuelan native has been taken in by fellow countrymen and Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano since he signed in 2005. In his first professional season in 2006 with Mesa, Hernandez posted an impressive 5-2 mark with a 3.20 ERA. The magic number in 2007 for Hernandez was five. In 18 of his 20 appearances, he worked at least five innings or more which helped him to fifth highest inning total (103 1/3) on the Chief s staff. Hernandez struck out a career high nine batters on August 24 in a win over Beloit.

[Bockstock]

He's in the teens for Cubs top prospects

What is 50 games down there 2 1/2 months??

[ryno4ever]

If I counted on my pocket calendar correctly, he should be able to return May 26.

[dundeecub]

can they just reassign him to extended spring training?

[ryno4ever]

I don't think they are allowed to make any roster moves, I'm not sure, though. It seems as if when Nefi Perez got caught again, it really tied the Tiger's up as far as their 25 man roster because it was a wasted spot.

[Bockstock]

I don't think they are allowed to make any roster moves, I'm not sure, though. It seems as if when Nefi Perez got caught again, it really tied the Tiger's up as far as their 25 man roster because it was a wasted spot.

LOL, good set-up for a joke