Indians prospect Rodriguez suspended

NEW YORK -- Indians All-Star outfield prospect Luigi Rodriguez and veteran Major League reliever Jose Valverde were suspended 80 games apiece Friday after testing positive for a banned steroid.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said Rodriguez and Valverde both were banned without pay following positive tests for a metabolite of Stanozolol, considered a performance-enhancing substance under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Rodriguez will begin serving his suspension immediately, while Valverde, who was released by the Nationals in July, will serve his upon signing with another club.

The 22-year-old Rodriguez ranks among the Carolina League leaders in most offensive categories this season, including third in homers (12), batting (.293) and slugging (.492), in 92 games for Class A Advanced Lynchburg. He's fifth in the league with 24 stolen bases, fourth in OPS (.827), seventh in runs scored (59) and fifth in hits (109). A midseason All-Star, he hasn't played since July 29 after landing on the seven-day disabled list.

Rodriguez signed with Cleveland in 2009 out of the Dominican Republic and has hit .279 with 35 homers, 193 RBIs and 120 steals in 486 Minor League games over six seasons. His numbers this season are a notable improvement from his 2014 campaign in which he btted .250 with six homers and 30 RBIs in 99 games for Class A Advanced Carolina.

Valverde, who has appeared in 626 Major League games, spent all of this season with the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, where he had 10 saves and a 2.39 ERA over 26 1/3 innings in 27 games. The former Tigers closer had 21 strikeouts against three walks before he exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and was released on July 22. 

Valverde, who began last season with the Mets, has pitched only 40 innings in the big leagues since the end of the 2012 season. He was the American League DHL Delivery Man of the Year in 2011 as top closer -- he recorded 49 saves in 49 chances -- and was an All-Star in 2007, 2010 and 2011.

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 78 suspensions to 77 players this year for violations of the Minor League drug program.