Mets prospect Jacquez suspended 50 games

Mets Minor League reliever Ricky Jacquez was suspended 50 games on Friday after testing positive for a banned substance.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said Jacquez received a 50-game ban without pay after a second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension will be effective at the start of the Appalachian League season, which begins next month.

Jacquez, a 22-year-old right-hander, made 16 relief appearances in 2013 for Rookie-level Kingsport, going 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 20 2/3 innings. He did not pitch at all last season and has not appeared in a game this year.

The El Paso, Texas, native was the Mets' 25th-round pick in the 2013 Draft out of Central Arizona Community College.

Players typically are issued a warning following a first positive test for a drug of abuse and a suspension for a second offense. Substances considered "drugs of abuse" by Major League Baseball include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other opiates.

Jacquez is the 51st player suspended by MLB this year for violating the Minor League drug program.