Minor leaguers Francisco Rivero and Raudi Perez suspended following positive drug tests

Washington Nationals catcher Francisco Rivero and free agent pitcher Raudi Perez were each suspended for 56 games following positive tests for a performance-enhancing substance in baseball's minor league drug programs. The suspensions came on Friday. Rivero, an 18-year-old signing with the Nationals in July, has not played in any minor league games.

Perez, a 19-year-old signed by the Padres in January for a $25,000 bonus, was suspended for his time with the Dominican Summer League. He was released on September 10, and his suspension will commence when he signs with a major league team. This is the first annual payment billed as $205.00 plus GST for one year, with automatic renewal at $233.00 plus GST every 52 weeks.

The two players were disciplined for testing positive for Stanozolol under the minor league program, with Perez suspended under the program for minors assigned outside the U.S. and Canada. Thirteen players have been disciplined this year for a drug violation, including Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar, who was suspended for the entire season on March 3 for testing positive for exogenous testosterone.

Kepler, a free agent outfielder, was banned for 80 games on January 9 after testing positive for Epitrenbolone.