Astros MILB pitcher Julio Rodriguez suspended for positive drug test

NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Astros pitcher Julio Rodriguez – not to be confused with Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez – was suspended for 80 games Friday by Major League Baseball under the minor league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Nandrolone.

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A 25-year-old right-hander, the Astros’ Rodriguez was 2-0 with a 6.40 ERA in 21 relief appearances for High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi. After making 18 appearances for the Tourists, he was promoted on June 17.

Rodriguez was signed by San Francisco for a $300,000 bonus in March 2018 and reached Triple-A for a pair of games with Sacramento last July 1 and 3, then ended the season with Double-A Richmond. He was selected by Houston last December in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft.

Rodriguez is the eighth player suspended this year for a positive test, the sixth under minor league programs. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games on March 31 and Philadelphia Phillies closer José Alvarado for 80 games on May 25 under the major league program.

There is one other player named Julio Rodriguez currently active in baseball: catcher Julio E. Rodriguez, who is also in the Mariners’ organization with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers.

Seattle Sports staff contributed to this post.

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