Cubs minor leaguer suspended 144 games for drug of abuse

NEW YORK (AP) Chicago Cubs pitcher Luiz Escanio has been suspended for 144 games for a positive test for a metabolite of Boldenone, his second violation of baseball's minor league drug program.

Escanio, a right-hander who turned 24 on July 1, was suspended for 72 games on June 18 last year following a positive test for Stanozolol metabolites. He returned and was 3-1 with a 1.45 ERA this year for the Dominican Summer League Cubs2.

His latest suspension was announced Wednesday.

On Monday, San Francisco outfielder Chuckie Jones was suspended for 100 games for a third positive test for a drug of abuse. Jones was suspended for 50 games on April 9 last year following his second positive test for a drug of abuse.

He was on the voluntarily retired list and has not played this season.

There have been 66 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program and 13 under the major league program.