Cincinnati Reds minor league pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez received an 80-game suspension without pay Sunday after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
Gutierrez, a 24-year-old right-hander, is ranked as the No. 15 prospect in the organization by MLB.com. He signed for $4.75 million as an international free agent in 2016 and spent last season at Triple-A Louisville.
The Commissioner's Office announced that Gutierrez tested positive for Stanozolol, which is in violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.
Gutierrez had a 6.04 ERA in 27 starts last year at Louisville with 117 strikeouts and 48 walks in 137 innings.