Major League Baseball on Friday suspended Colorado Rockies farmhand Jose Rodriguez for 72 games without pay as a result of a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Rodriguez, a right-handed pitcher, tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone. The suspension will take effect at the beginning of the 2016 Dominican Summer League season.
The 20-year-old native of the Dominican Republic spent all of last season with the DSL Rockies, posting a 3.31 ERA in 32u2154 innings spanning 19 appearances. Rodriguez struck out 30 batters, walked 11 and converted four of five save opportunities.