All-Star reliever Torres suspended
Former No. 10 overall pick banned 50 games for positive test
By Danny Wild / MLB.com
Tuesday, Feb. 21 5:19 PM
Torres, who has appeared in 315 games over 11 Minor League seasons since 2000, has received a 50-game suspension after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. His suspension will be effective at the start of this season.
The 29-year-old Torres was the Angels' first-round pick in the 2000 Draft and remained with the club until 2007, when he joined the White Sox. He pitched for the Rangers and Dodgers in 2009, rejoined the Sox in 2010 and signed with Colorado in 2011, where he pitched for Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The Bronx, N.Y., native went 3-1 with a 2.24 ERA in 52 appearances last season, striking out 62 in 56 1/3 innings. He was voted a Texas League All-Star with Tulsa, where he appeared in 51 games.
Major League Baseball has suspended 16 players this year under the Minor League drug program.