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Nationals Minor League Catcher Suspended 50 Games After Failed Drug Test

Major League Baseball handed out more suspensions due to PED use Friday, and one of the players handed a 50-game suspension was Washington Nationals minor league catcher Michael Albaladejo.

By Jared E. Smith
March 28, 2012; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; A general view of a Washington Nationals catchers mask and helmet in the bullpen before a spring training game against the New York Mets at Digital Domain Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE
March 28, 2012; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; A general view of a Washington Nationals catchers mask and helmet in the bullpen before a spring training game against the New York Mets at Digital Domain Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE

The Washington Nations organization received some disappointing news from Major League Baseball Friday, as one of their minor league catchers, Michael Albaladejo of the Gulf Coast League, was suspended 50 games for testing positive for Methylhexaneamine. The drug in question is commonly used by body builders.

Luckily, for National fans the news will not hurt the organization. Albaladejo, a former second baseman for Florida Atlantic University, signed with the Nats' organization in June after he was not picked in the MLB's first-year player draft. According to stats from Baseball America, Albaladejo played 10 games and was hitting just .235 for his team, which is based in Viera, Fla.

The news is another public relations victory for MLB, which also handed out 50-game suspensions to Tampa Bay Rays minor league outfielder Deshun Dixon and free agent right-handed pitcher Vincent Payne, Jr. A few days ago, MLB announced the suspension of San Francisco Giants' outfielder Melky Cabrera.

For more on National's baseball, visit the blog Federal Baseball.