Cincinnati pitcher Brian Hunter has been suspended for 80 games under baseball’s minor league drug program following a positive test for a banned performance-enhancing substance, and Los Angeles Angels pitcher Greg Belton and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ivan Vieitez have been banned 50 games each after positive tests for prohibited stimulants.
Hunter tested positive for Ipamorelin, which increases plasma growth hormone. Belton tested positive for Amphetamine and Vieitez for Ritalinic Acid, the commissioner’s office said Friday.
A 24-year-old right-hander, Hunter was a ninth-round draft pick in 2014 and had a 2.51 ERA and four saves this year with Daytona of the Class A Florida State League, striking out 37 in 28 2/3 innings.
Belton, also a 24-year-old right-hander, was a 27th-round selection last year and was 1-2 with a 4.55 ERA and three saves this season in five games at Burlington of the Midwest League and Inland Empire of the California League, both Class A affiliates.
Vieitez, a 24-year-old right-hander who was a 27th-round pick two years ago, is 2-3 with a 4.77 ERA this year in eight starts and three relief appearances for Tulsa of the Double-A Texas League and four relief appearances for Rancho Cucamonga of the California League.
There have been 51 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program and five under the major league program.
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