Three Minor League Players Suspended for Drug Violations

NEW YORK (AP) — In a significant enforcement of baseball's drug policy, St. Louis right-hander Kener Perez, San Diego left-hander Ibrahym Jimenez, and free agent left-hander Yonathan Frias have each been suspended for 56 games due to positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs. The suspensions were announced by the commissioner's office, with Perez testing positive for Stanozolol, Jimenez for Nandrolone, and Frias for Boldenone. These penalties fall under the drug program for minor league players assigned outside of the United States and Canada. Kener Perez, 19, has struggled this season, posting a 1-4 record with an 8.31 ERA in seven relief appearances for the Dominican Summer League Cardinals. He signed a minor league contract in February 2023, receiving a $10,000 bonus. Ibrahym Jimenez, 17, who also signed in January for the same bonus, recorded a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA in four starts and three relief appearances with the DSL Gold Padres. Yonathan Frias, 18, was recently released by the DSL Braves after compiling a 4.26 ERA in six relief outings. He had signed in January 2023 for a $35,000 bonus and had an 8.31 ERA in 14 appearances last year. This year, a total of 13 players have faced suspensions for positive drug tests, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding performance-enhancing substances in baseball. Notably, two major league players have also been suspended this year, including Cincinnati Reds' top prospect Noelvi Marté, who missed 80 games for a Boldenone test, and Toronto Blue Jays' Orelvis Martínez, suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Clomiphene.