Baltimore, Arizona minor leaguers banned for drug violations

NEW YORK (AP) Baltimore pitcher Lex Rutledge and Arizona pitcher Cameron Smith have been suspended 50 games each for violations of baseball's minor league drug program.

The commissioner's office said Friday that Rutledge had a second positive test for a drug of abuse and Smith committed an unspecified violation.

Rutledge, a 24-year-old left-hander on the roster of Class A Frederick in the Carolina League, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2012. He retired in January 2015 and re-signed this Jan. 31.

Smith, a 23-year-old lefty, was a 36th-round draft pick last year and went 7-1 with a 1.68 ERA in 13 starts for Missoula of the Pioneer League. He struck out 62 in 53 2/3 innings.

There have been 27 suspensions this year for violations of the minor league program.