Cincinnati Reds

Reds farmhand Joel Bender suspended 50 games

Published Apr. 4, 2018 6:17 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) Cincinnati Reds left-hander Joel Bender has been suspended 50 games without pay under baseball's minor league drug program following a positive drug test.

The commissioner's office said Wednesday that Bender, currently on the roster of the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Southern League, tested positive for Amphetamine and Methamphetamine.

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander pitcher Nathanael Heredia, who is currently on the roster of the rookie-level Dominican Summer League Cardinals, received a 72-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance.

Cleveland Indians shortstop Andrew Maggi, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Columbus Clippers of the International League, received a 50-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Amphetamine. Free-agent catcher Justin O'Conner was suspended 50-game suspension without pay following a second positive test for a drug of abuse.

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