Cincinnati, Cleveland minor leaguers given drug suspensions

A ball sits in a glove during a spring training baseball workout. (David Goldman/AP)

NEW YORK — Cincinnati pitcher Jake Ehret has been suspended for the first 50 games of the season under baseball’s minor league drug program following a second positive test for a drug of abuse.

Cleveland outfielder Carlos Ventura was banned for 72 games after a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Stanozolol, the commissioner’s office said Friday.

Ehret, a 24-year-old right-hander, is on the roster of Triple-A Louisville of the International League after going 1-2 with a 7.62 ERA in 36 relief appearances last year at Class A Daytona of the Florida State League and Double-A Pensacola of the Southern League.

The 19-year-old Ventura hit .161 with three homers, 20 RBIs and 42 strikeouts in 124 at-bats with the Dominican Summer League Indians.

There have been 18 players suspended this year under the minor league program and three under the major league program: Houston pitcher Dean Deetz, Washington catcher Raudy Read and Pittsburgh pitcher Nik Turley.

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