DSL Reds pitchers Ayala, Telleria suspended

NEW YORK -- Reds pitching prospects David Ayala and Adolfi Telleria were suspended 25 games apiece and former A's right-hander Dawson Brown was banned 50 games for violating the Minor League drug program.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday that Ayala and Telleria, both with the Reds' Rookie-level Domincan Summer League team, received a 25-game suspensions without pay following an undisclosed violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Brown, who was released by Oakland on May 7, received a 50-game suspension without pay following a second positive test for a drug of abuse. 

The suspensions of Ayala and Telleria will be effective at the start of the DSL season in June, while Brown will have to serve his ban once he signs with another team.

Ayala, a 20-year-old right-hander, signed with the Reds out of Colombia and made his debut last summer, appearing in a dozen DSL games for Cincinnati's two affiliates there. He had a 5.12 ERA and eight strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

Telleria, a 21-year-old right-hander, joined the Reds out of the Dominican Republic in 2013 and has appeared in 31 games in the DSL. Last season, he went 5-6 with a 3.68 ERA in 71 innings over 14 starts. He struck out 73 and walked 15.

Brown, 21, was drafted by the A's in the 24th round last summer and appeared in 11 Rookie-level Arizona League games, going 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 19 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-6 right-hander out of University of West Florida issued only three walks. 

Substances considered "drugs of abuse" by Major League Baseball include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other opiates. 

Major League Baseball has suspended 50 players this year for violations of the Minor League drug program.