Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect Jose Dominguez has been suspended for 25 games by Major League Baseball for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the team announced Monday.
Dominguez, who was on the roster of the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League last season, will be suspended without pay starting next season. While with Chattanooga, Dominguez appeared in five games and pitched 7.0 innings, with nine strikeouts, and collecting a 1.29 ERA while facing 23 batters.
The 22-year-old figures to be an important addition to a pitching staff that needs his services. In 2012, he also pitched for the Dodgers' Single-A affiliate, the Great Lakes Loons, where he pitched 72 innings and faced 343 batters, totaling a 5.25 ERA and striking out 78.
Two other players were suspended in addition to Dominguez, and it was not made immediately clear what substances were used to warrant the suspension.