Reds Minor League catcher suspended

Jose Raga, the Reds Minor League catcher, was recently suspended after he tested positive for a banned steroid.

Raga tested positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

From Web.minorleaguebaseball.com:

Raga, a 17-year-old from San Felipe, Venezuela, had appeared in six games for the Rookie-level Reds, going 3-for-13 with two RBIs. This was the 5-foot-11 backstop's first season in the Minors.

Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone that is used by body builders as well as with animals to promote muscle growth, increased bone density and red blood cell production. In baseball, it has previously been linked to Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro and Roger Clemens, among others.

Raga is the 30th player to be suspended in 2011 under the Minor League program, his ban coming two days after Braves pitcher Matt Suschak was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for amphetamines.

The catcher with Cincinnati's Venezuelan Summer League affiliate has received a 50-game suspension, according to the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.