Angels' Lamb suspended for drug of abuse

Veteran left-hander receives 50-game ban for second positive test

John Lamb went 1-7 with a 6.43 ERA in 70 innings in the Majors last season. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

By Sam Dykstra

May 9, 2017

NEW YORK -- Angels left-handed pitcher John Lamb has been suspended 50 games after his second positive test for a drug of abuse, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Tuesday. The suspension takes effect immediately. The Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program defines the following as drugs of

NEW YORK -- Angels left-handed pitcher John Lamb has been suspended 50 games after his second positive test for a drug of abuse, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Tuesday. The suspension takes effect immediately.
The Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program defines the following as drugs of abuse: marijuana, hashish, THC, synthetic THC, cocaine, LSD, opiates (such as oxycodone and heroin), ecstasy, GHB and PCP.

Lamb had been on the Triple-A Salt Lake disabled list after undergoing offseason back surgery and had yet to pitch this season. He signed with the Angels as a Minor League free agent in December after being released by the Rays, who had acquired him in a trade with the Reds in November.
Minor League drug suspensions in 2017
The 26-year-old southpaw was once a top pitching prospect in the Royals system before Tommy John surgery in 2011 set him back. He eventually found enough form to be included as a piece in the deal that sent Johnny Cueto from Cincinnati to Kansas City in July 2015, and the California native made his Major League debut on Aug. 14 that year. He made 24 starts for the Reds but posted just a 6.17 ERA with 22 homers allowed over his 119 2/3 frames at the highest level before being dealt again last fall.
Lamb becomes the 32nd player this season suspended for violating the Minor League drug program.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.