Minor Leaguer Marmolejo suspended

Minor Leaguer Marmolejo suspended
Pitcher used performance-enhancing substance

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

11/06/09 6:22 PM EST

Reds Minor League pitcher Jose Marmolejo will serve a 40-game suspension next year after Major League Baseball disciplined him for what it called the use and possession of a prohibited performance-enhancing substance.

The violation actually occurred over the summer but was under review at season's end. The Reds suspended Marmolejo from their Dominican Summer League team in August for the final 10 games of this year during the review. MLB handed down a 50-game suspension but considered the team's suspension as part of the time served. As a result, Marmolejo will miss the first 40 games of next season.

Marmolejo, who turned 20 in September, made 13 relief appearances in the DSL, allowing 17 earned runs on 28 hits over 19 2/3 innings.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.