DSL Yankees pitchers suspended 72 games

NEW YORK -- Yankees Minor Leaguers Anderson Acevedo, Anthoniris Santana and Carlos Santana were suspended 72 games on Wednesday after testing positive for a banned steroid.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said the trio of right-handers from the Yankees' Rookie-level Dominican Summer League affiliate all tested positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of the Minoir League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspensions are effective immediately.

The DSL Yankees now have five pitchers on the restricted list -- fellow right-handers Brayan Alcantara and Moises Cedeno were handed 72-game suspensions in March. Alcantara tested positive for Stanozolol, while Cedeno was cited for Clenbuterol.

Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone that is sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to encourage muscle growth, red blood cell production, bone density and to stimulate the appetite of weakened animals. MLB has suspended 11 players this year for testing positive for the drug after citing eight in 2014 and 13 in 2013.

Acevedo, 21, signed with the Yankees on June 19 and had appeared in five games out of the bullpen. He was 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA, four strikeouts and seven walks in 7 2/3 innings. 

Carlos Santana, 21, also signed with New York on June 19 and was transferred from the DSL Yankees 2 to the DSL Yankees 1 on June 30. In six outings between the two clubs, he owns a 3.09 ERA and nine strikeouts over 11 1/3 innings.

Anthoniris Santana, 20, inked his deal with the Yankees on June 19 and pitched in seven games, making one start. He's 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA and 29 strikeouts against four walks over 18 innings. 

Major League Baseball has issued 74 suspensions to 73 players this year for violations of the Minor League drug program.