Cards' Swinson suspended 50 games

Cardinals outfielder Mike Swinson was suspended for 50 games on Monday after violating the Minor League drug program.

Swinson, 22, was banned without pay after testing positive for Methylhexaneamine, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension is effective immediately.

The lefty-swinging outfielder was selected by St. Louis out of Coffee High School (Ga.) in the 12th round of the 2008 Draft, but had not reached the Class A Advanced level until this season. He's batting .185 with a homer and five RBIs in 24 games this season between Palm Beach and the Gulf Coast League Cardinals.

Methylhexaneamine is a substance originally intended to be used as a nasal decongestant that has gained popularity as a recreational drug which reportedly gives users an adrenaline rush. Side effects include nausea and stroke. The drug was recently linked to several Jamaican track stars in 2009 as well as some Minor Leaguers over the past two years.

Swinson is the 50th player suspended this year for violation the Minor League program. Major League Baseball also suspended veteran big leaguer Marlon Myrd on Monday after testing positive for Tamoxifen.