Twins outfielder Rodriguez suspended

Twins Minor League outfielder Reynaldo Rodriguez was suspended for 80 games Thursday after testing positive for a banned steroid.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball said the 29-year-old corner outfielder received an 80-game suspension without pay following a positive test for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. 

The suspension is effective immediately.

Rodriguez, who signed with the Twins in December 2012, was hitting .234 with a homer, three RBIs, a .290 on-base percentage and 17 strikeouts for Triple-A Rochester in 17 International League games this season. 

Rodriguez originally signed with the Yankees in 2003 out of Colombia and has appeared in 738 career Minor League games since 2006. He spent time in the independent Golden League in 2009, earning Rookie of the Year honors and a ranking from Baseball America as the No. 1 independent league prospect. He signed with the Red Sox in May 2010 and was a Carolina League All-Star in 2011 with Class A Advanced Salem. He was named an Eastern League All-Star with Double-A Portland in 2012 and again in 2014 with New Britain after signing with Minnesota. Last year, he earned International League end-of-season All-Star honors after hitting .255 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs in 132 games.

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.

The Commissioner's Office has suspended 41 players this year for violations of the Minor League drug program.