Former Marlin Torres suspended

NEW YORK -- The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Wednesday that free agent Minor League shortstop Jose Torres has received a 50-game suspension after testing positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone.

Torres signed with the Florida Marlins as a free agent on July 2, 2007 and worked his way up to Class A Advanced Jupiter last season, where he finished batting .221 with no home runs and 16 RBIs in 83 games. His suspension will be effective immediately upon his signing with another Major League organization.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), considered a performance-enhancing substance by the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, is a steroid produced naturally in the human body but also sold as a supplement used to aid muscle growth. The substance has been linked to increased rates of cancer but has also been used to treat lupus. Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo was suspended by the NBA for 10 games last January after testing positive for DHEA.

The suspension comes a day after Twins lefty Aaron Thompson and Cardinals catcher Cody Stanley were each suspended 50 games for their violations of the Minor League drug program.

Major League Baseball has suspended 27 players this year for violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.