Rays top prospect Taylor Guerrieri suspended 50 games

The suspension comes after a positive test for a “drug of abuse,” which in Guerrieri’s case is rumored to be marijuana. Only minor league players, who are not protected by the MLB Players’ Association, are subject to random testing for drugs of abuse. Players on the 40-man roster who do get caught with marijuana are fined up to $35,000 and must undergo a treatment program.

If Guerrieri were to test positive for Marijuana again, he would be suspended for 100 games. A fourth positive test results in a lifetime ban.

Guerrieri underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2013 and will likely be out for at least the first half of 2014, anyway. He can serve his suspension while injured, so the only real punishment for him this time is the loss of pay.

Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 29 prospect in all of baseball at mid-season in 2013, Guerrieri has posted two strong professional seasons in the lower minors. In 26 starts, the 20-year-old has a career 1.59 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP.

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