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NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets pitcher Robert Carson was among five players suspended 50 games each under baseball's minor league drug program.
The 26-year-old left-hander, on the roster of the Los Angeles Dodgers' new Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, tested positive a second time for a drug of abuse, the commissioner's office said Tuesday.
Carson appeared in 31 games for the Mets in 2012 and '13, compiling a 6.82 ERA without any decisions. He was claimed by the Los Angeles Angels after the season, went 0-1 with a 10.12 ERA at Triple-A Salt Lake and released on May 10. Carson signed with the Dodgers a week later and pitched at Class A Rancho Cucamonga, Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Albuquerque, going 2-5 with a 5.40 ERA in 18 appearances with the Isotopes.
Dodgers outfielder Theo Alexander and free agent right-handers Kramer Champlin and Kyle Simon also were suspended 50 games each for second positive tests for drugs of abuse.
Free agent left-hander Chad James was suspended 50 games for a second positive test for a banned amphetamine.
The suspension of a free agent starts when he signs with another big league organization.
There have been 18 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program.
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