Pirates pitching prospect Lopez suspended

Right-handed reliever banned 25 games for undisclosed violation

Junior Lopez posted a 4.25 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 38 appearances for Class A Bradenton in 2016. (Mark LoMoglio/Tampa Yankees)

By Chris Tripodi

April 6, 2017

NEW YORK - Junior Lopez was set to repeat Class A Advanced this season with Bradenton, but that plan is on hold until May.The 25-year-old reliever was suspended 25 games for an undisclosed violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball

NEW YORK - Junior Lopez was set to repeat Class A Advanced this season with Bradenton, but that plan is on hold until May.
The 25-year-old reliever was suspended 25 games for an undisclosed violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday.

Signed as an international free agent in 2013, Lopez impressed in a half-season with the Marauders in 2015, going 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA, 21 strikeouts and nine walks over 35 2/3 innings and earning an assignment to Bradenton to start 2016.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander made 38 appearances out of the Marauders bullpen but couldn't match his 2015 success, posting a 3-4 record with a 4.25 ERA and 59 strikeouts against 26 walks over 65 2/3 innings after he walked 23 batters in 113 2/3 career frames.
Lopez is the 25th player to be suspended this year under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

MINOR LEAGUE SUSPENSIONS IN 2017

Date	Player	Pos.	Substance/violation	Team	Org.	Games
Jan. 13	Carlos Gonzalez	RHP	Methamphetamine	Pensacola	CIN	50
Jan. 13	Tommy Collier	RHP	Drug of abuse	Erie	DET	50
Jan. 13	Gary Cornish	RHP	Amphetamine	Brooklyn	NYM	50
Jan. 13	Makay Nelson	RHP	Amphetamine	Tri-City	HOU	50
Jan. 13	Tyler Spoon	OF	Amphetamine	Greenville	BOS	50
Jan. 13	Kal Simmons	IF	Drug of abuse		Free agent	50
Feb. 15	L.J. Hoes	OF	Drug of abuse		Free agent	50
Feb. 15	Gabe Howell	IF	Hydrochlorothiazide	GCL Braves	ATL	68
Feb. 15	Ryan January	C	Amphetamine	Missoula	ARI	50
Feb. 15	Corey Littrell	LHP	Drug of abuse	Memphis	STL	50
Feb. 15	Yeremi Rosario	IF	Tamoxifen	DSL Rockies	COL	72
Apr. 4	Emmanuel Burriss	IF	Drug of abuse	Syracuse	WAS	50
Apr. 4	Ty Ross	C	Drug of abuse	San Jose	SF	50
Apr. 4	Cody Brickhouse	C	Drug of abuse	AZL Giants	SF	50
Apr. 4	Keith Grieshaber	SS	Drug of abuse	Orem	LAA	50
Apr. 4	Ian Kahaloa	RHP	Drug of abuse	Billings	CIN	50
Apr. 4	Jonathan Arauz	SS	Methamphetamine	Greeneville	HOU	50
Apr. 4	Edward Perez	RHP	Stanozolol	DSL Dodgers	LAD	72
Apr. 4	Jeremy Rivera	SS	Undisclosed	Salem	BOS	50
Apr. 6	Jose Dominguez	RHP	Stanozolol	Sacramento	SF	142
Apr. 6	Miguel Sulbaran	LHP	Undisclosed	Trenton	NYY	25
Apr. 6	Frank Encarnacion	RHP	Stanozolol	DSL Mariners	SEA	72
Apr. 6	Andy Taveras	RHP	Stanozolol	DSL Mariners	SEA	72
Apr. 6	Jose Ramirez	RHP	Stanozolol	DSL Tigers	DET	72
Apr. 7	Junior Lopez	RHP	Undisclosed	Bradenton	PIT	25

Chris Tripodi is an editor for MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @christripodi.