Red Sox pitcher Kopech suspended 50 games for positive test

NEW YORK (AP) Boston Red Sox pitcher Michael Kopech has been suspended for 50 games under baseball's minor league drug program following a positive test for the banned stimulant Oxilofrine.

Kopech, a 19-year-old right-hander, was taken by Boston in the first round of last year's amateur draft with the 33rd pick and signed for a $1.5 million bonus. He is from Mount Pleasant High School in Texas.

Kopech is 4-5 with a 2.63 ERA this year with Greenville of the Class A South Atlantic League.

The suspension, announced Thursday, is the 69th this year under the minor league drug program.