Relief pitcher Angel Guzman had a decent spring for the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing no runs in just over five innings during spring training, but he won't be pitching anytime soon. Guzman was suspended 50 games for a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse, the commissioner's office announced on Friday.
It was the second violation for Guzman, who signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers on December 9 that included in invitation to major league camp at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Guzman put up a 2.95 ERA in 55 games in relief with 47 strikeouts in 61 innings for the Chicago Cubs in 2009, but underwent shoulder surgery that caused him to miss all of 2010.
Guzman, 30, was on the roster for the Triple A Albuquerque Isotopes but hadn't yet pitched for them this season. The Venezuelan native will begin serving his suspension immediately.
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