Renegades' Dixon among three banned

Rays outfielder Deshun Dixon, Nats catcher Michael Albaladejo and former Pirates right-hander Vince Payne Jr. were all suspended 50 games on Friday, the Commissioner's Office announced.

Dixon, the Rays' 10th-round pick in the 2010 Draft, was suspended for 50 games without pay following a second violation for a drug of abuse. The 20-year-old was hitting .193 with a homer and 14 RBIs in 38 games for Class A Short-Season Hudson Valley.

Albaladejo, who was with the Gulf Coast League Nationals, tested positive for Methylhexaneamine. The converted second baseman signed with Washington as a free agent on July 1 out of Florida Atlantic University, where he hit .358 in helping FAU capture a Sun Belt Conference championship this past season.

Methylhexaneamine is a substance originally intended to be used as a nasal decongestant but is banned by Major League Baseball. It's believed to increase focus and energy. Side effects include nausea and stroke. The drug has been linked to some Minor Leaguers over the past two years since it's an ingredient in the pre-workout supplement Jack3d.

Both suspensions are effective immediately.

Payne Jr., a free agent who was released by the Pirates on July 13, was also suspended after his second violation for a drug of abuse. His suspension will be effective immediately upon his signing with another Major League organization.

Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com.