Cardinals' Vivas suspended for positive drug test

NEW YORK (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals minor league infielder Wilfred Vivas was suspended for 50 games Monday after a positive test for a banned substance under baseball’s minor league drug program.

Vivas, on the Cardinals’ Venezuelan Summer League team last season, tested positive for metabolites of Methandienone, the commissioner’s office said. The penalty will be served next season.

Sixty-seven suspensions have been announced this year under the minor league program, 40 involving players in the Dominican Summer League and 11 for players in the Venezuelan Summer League.

Just three players have been suspended this year under the major league program, all for 50 games: San Francisco catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, Colorado catcher Humberto Cota and Florida pitcher Henry Owens.