Turner, Williams suspended by MLB

NEW YORK -- Rangers prospect Xavier Turner and Angels Minor League outfielder Cam Williams were suspended Friday after both tested positive for a banned substance.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said Turner received a 50-game suspension without pay following a second positive test for a drug of abuse, while Williams received a 56-game suspension without pay after testing positive for a metabolite of Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Turner's suspension will be effective at the start of the 2017 season, while Williams' ban will begin next June when the Arizona League kicks off.

Turner, 23, was the MVP of the Northwest-Pioneer League All-Star Game last month before earning a promotion from Class A Short Season Spokane to Class A Hickory. He's hitting .325 with four homers, 18 RBIs and a .403 on-base percentage in 34 games across both levels. The Vanderbilt product was Texas' 19th-round pick in the 2015 Draft after playing in the College World Series.

Williams, 19, was the Angels' 25th-round pick this year out of Howard College in Texas. He hit .235 with 10 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 23 games this year in the Rookie-level AZL.

Players are typically issued a warning following a first positive test for a drug of abuse and a suspension for a second offense. Substances considered "drugs of abuse" by Major League Baseball include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other opiates.

Nandrolone, commonly sold as Deca-Durabolin, is an anabolic steroid used to promote muscle growth, bone density and red blood cell production. It's considered a Schedule III controlled substance.

Major League Baseball has issued 81 suspensions to 80 players this year for violations of the Minor League drug program.