3 minor leaguers, including 2 Reds, given drug suspensions

NEW YORK (AP) Cincinnati Reds pitchers David Ayala and Adolfi Telleria have been suspended 25 games each for violating baseball's minor league drug program and free agent pitcher Dawson Brown was banned 50 games.

In announcing the penalties Friday, the commissioner's office did not specify the nature of the violations for the Reds players. Under the minor league program, the only 25-game penalty listed is for a first violation for use or possession of a syringe.

Brown was disciplined for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.

Ayala, 20, and Telleria, 21, are right-handed pitchers with the Reds in the Dominican Summer League. Brown, a right-hander who turns 22 on May 16, was released by Oakland on May 6. He was 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA in 11 relief appearances last year for the Athletics' Arizona Rookie League team.

There have been 49 suspensions this year under the minor league program, including 26 for drugs of abuse. There have been five suspensions under the major league program.