Rays righty Colome suspended 50 games

Rays right-hander Alex Colome was suspended for 50 games on Monday after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.

Colome, who is currently on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster as a member of Triple-A Durham, received a 50-game suspension without pay after testing positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The 25-year-old will begin serving his suspension at the start of the 2014 season.

Colome, ranked as the Rays' No. 6 prospect entering 2014, spent the majority of the 2013 season with the Durham Bulls, going 4-6 with a 3.07 ERA and 72 strikeouts over 70 1/3 innings in 14 starts. He made his Major League debut on May 30 against Miami, going 5 2/3 innings for his first career win, before making two more starts in June against the Yankees and Tigers. 

With Tampa Bay, the 6-foot-2 righty finished 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and a dozen strikeouts in 16 frames over three games.

"We were disappointed to learn of Alex Colome's violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the Rays said in a statement. "We fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing substances from our game. Per the protocol outlined in the Joint Drug Program, the organization will not comment further on this matter."

The Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic native pitched in one Spring Training game for the Rays this month, striking out one batter in one frame against Pittsburgh on March 1.

Colome, ranked as the Rays' No. 12 prospect entering 2013, led the organization's system in ERA in 2009 after signing with the club as an international free agent in 2007. He earned All-Star selections in 2009 (NYPL), 2010 (MWL) and 2011 (FSL) while also being named an MiLB.com Rays All-Star in '11.

Boldenone, more commonly known and marketed as Equipoise, is an anabolic steroid developed for veterinary use, primarily to treat horses. Side effects include increased muscle growth, red blood cell counts and appetite.

Colome is the second player to test positive for the steroid this month after DSL Angels pitcher Luis Pena was flagged for the substance on March 19.