Rays' Guerrieri suspended 50 games

Rays top prospect Taylor Guerrieri has been suspended 50 games without pay following a second positive test for a drug of abuse, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday. The suspension is effective at the beginning of the 2014 season.

The 20-year-old right-hander, who ranks as MLB.com's No. 28 overall prospect, went 6-2 with a 2.01 ERA and a 0.985 WHIP over 14 starts (67 innings) for Class A Bowling Green this season. He struck out 51 batters and walked only 12 in that span while holding batters to a .225 average.

Guerrieri's first full season, however, came to an early conclusion on July 15 when he exited a contest early after experiencing elbow soreness. He underwent Tommy John surgery nine days later, and as such, wasn't expected to pitch during the 2014 season in any case.

The 6-foot-3 sinkerball specialist was Tampa Bay's first-round pick (24th overall) in the 2011 Draft. He posted a 1.04 ERA over 12 starts (52 innings) for Class A Short-Season Hudson Valley during his first pro season in 2012.

He became the Rays' top prospect in MLB.com's rankings when American League Rookie of the Year candidate Wil Myers moved out of the No. 1 slot.