Mets catcher Abreu suspended 80 games

NEW YORK -- Mets' Minor League catcher Adrian Abreu was suspended for 80 games without pay Thursday after testing positive for a banned steroid.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said Abreu tested positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The suspension is effective immediately.

Abreu, 24, was batting .188 with five RBIs and three doubles in 64 at-bats over 18 games this season between Class A Savannah and Class A Advanced St. Lucie. The right-handed backstop began the season with the Mets' Florida State League affiliate before being reassigned to Savannah on June 5.

Abreu signed with the Mets in May 2010 and spent three seasons with New York's Rookie-level Dominican Summer League club. He made his domestic debut in 2013 with Rookie-level Kingsport before appearing in 53 games last summer for Class A Short Season Brooklyn.

Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone that is sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to encourage muscle growth, red blood cell production, bone density and to stimulate the appetite of weakened animals.

Major League Baseball has issued 68 suspensions to 67 players this year for violating the Minor League drug program.