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Two minor leaguers suspended after positive tests for banned substances

Major League Baseball suspended two minor league players on Wednesday for testing positive for banned substances. San Francisco Giants pitcher Jacob Dunnington was suspended for 50 games and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Cesar Mejia was suspended for 72. 
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Major League Baseball suspended two minor league players on Wednesday for testing positive for banned substances. San Francisco Giants pitcher Jacob Dunnington was suspended for 50 games, and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Cesar Mejia was suspended for 72. 

Dunnington, 23, received his suspension after a second positive test for a drug of abuse, while Mejia, 19, got his after testing positive for boldenone, an anabolic steroid. Both suspensions will be without pay and are effective immediately.

Substances considered "drugs of abuse" include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other opiates. After a first positive test, players are typically warned but don't face a suspension until the second. 

Dunnington signed with San Francisco in 2009 and has bounced around their minor league system since, briefly reaching Triple-A in 2013. Currently at Single-A Augusta, he had yet to appear in a game this season. 

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Mejia was playing in the Rookie Dominican Summer League, where he was batting .200 with seven RBI in 25 games. 

The suspensions of the two bring the total of minor leaguers suspended this season for violating the drug program to 45. 

- Molly Geary