Orioles pitcher Troy Patton suspended 25 games for amphetamine use

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Troy Patton has a career 3.05 ERA in five MLB seasons. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball suspended Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Troy Patton for 25 games for testing positive for an amphetamine in violation of the Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Patton's suspension will be effective at the beginning of the 2014 regular season.

Under the drug agreement between MLB and its players' union, 25 games is the penalty for a second positive amphetamine test.

Patton was 2-0 with a 3.70 ERA in 56 appearances with the Orioles last season. In three seasons with the Orioles he has appeared in 130 games.

SI WIRE: Report: Orioles’ deal with Grant Balfour in jeopardy due to shoulder problems