Doyle, Alexander suspended by MLB

NEW YORK -- Cardinals infielder Luke Doyle and former Brewers left-hander Tyler Alexander were suspended on Friday after each tested positive for banned substances.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said Doyle, a 20-year-old second baseman, received a 50-game suspension without pay following a positive test for an amphetamine, which is considered a stimulant, while Alexander earned a 100-game suspension without pay after a third positive test for a drug of abuse.

Doyle is due to begin serving the ban in June, and Alexander will need to serve his penalty once he signs with a Major League club.

Doyle, St. Louis' 20th-round pick in last year's Draft, hit .207 with three homers, 52 RBIs, four steals and a .345 on-base percentage in 44 games with Rookie-level Johnson City in the Appalachian League. The Cardinals selected him out of Yavapai College after he was named MVP of the college summer Jayhawk League in 2014.

Alexander, 24, served a 50-game ban last season after he was suspended on Jan. 30, 2015 for a second positive test for a drug of abuse. He was the Brewers' 23rd-round pick in 2013 out of Florida International and went 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 96 2/3 innings over 39 games, including 11 starts, since he debuted in 2013. Milwaukee released him on June 3.

Players are typically issued a warning following a first positive test for a drug of abuse and suspensions for second and third offenses. Substances considered "drugs of abuse" by Major League Baseball include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other opiates. Minor Leaguers who test positive for a performance-enhancing substance are subjected to an immediate 50-game suspension.

Major League Baseball has suspended 23 players this year for violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.