Orioles minor league pitcher Zack Dodson suspended

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

January 19, 2016, 10:24am

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Orioles minor league pitcher Zack Dodson has been suspended 100 games without pay for a third positive test for a drug of abuse, according to a press release from Major League Baseball.

If you're not familiar with Dodson, 25, the Orioles signed him last month as a minor league free agent. The Pirates selected him in the fourth round of the 2009 draft out of Medina Valley (Texas) High School.

Dodson spent seven seasons in the Pirates system, going 31-45 with a 4.23 ERA in 131 games, including 125 starts. He spent the last two seasons at Double-A Altoona and was 7-10 with a 3.67 ERA in 28 games (27 starts) last summer.

The left-hander had been pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, going 2-3 with a 7.65 ERA in five starts with Caribes.

The Orioles placed Dodson on Double-A Bowie's roster. However, his suspension begins at the start of the Eastern League season.

Dodson was suspended 50 games back in July 2012 after testing positive for a drug of abuse.

Following the announcement, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington issued a statement that read: "We are extremely disappointed in Zack's actions and have expressed this disappointment to him. We are working with him to help him understand that he has to make better choices for his own well-being and to remain part of the Pirates organization."

Dodson is no longer in the Pirates organization and he's apparently still not making better choices.