Tri-City pitcher Euris Quezada had the five fingers say "slaaaap" today, and he gets a 25-game suspension for violating Minor League Baseball's Drug Program.
Obviously there are going to be a lot of questions about what it takes to get a 25-game suspension (not the more traditional 50-game suspension). In a couple of instances this season minor leaguers have been given the 25-game suspension. In both instances linked, the players suspended did not test positive, but were discovered to have been in possession of an unauthorized syringe.
ESPN:
While most suspensions for first offenses are for 50 games, MLB can impose lesser discipline if the reason for the penalty was other than a positive test. Under the minor league program, which is stricter than the major league's joint drug agreement with the union, players may only be in possession of syringes if they have team permission.
The 22-year old RHP was 1-3 with a 6.95 ERA/2.05 WHIP (45H/26ER, 24K:24BB in 33.2IP) for Tri-City. Since there are 24 games left in Tri-City's season, Quezada will be done for the year.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
