Hart, Shell suspended 50 games

NEW YORK -- A pair of free agent pitchers who played in the Minors last season were suspended for 50 games on Tuesday by the Office of the Commissioner.

Right-handers Mike Hart, 24, and Steven Shell, 28, will begin serving their suspensions upon signing with a Major League organization.

Hart, who came up with Oakland, received his ban after a second violation for a drug of abuse. Shell tested positive for Stanozolol, a synthetic anabolic steroid.

Hart was the Athletics' 19th-round pick in the 2008 Draft out of Texas State and went 4-6 with a 3.02 ERA in 39 games between Class A Burlington and Class A Advanced Stockton in 2011. The Staten Island, N.Y. native appeared in 93 Minor League games over four seasons.

Minor Leaguers are typically warned after testing positive for a drug of abuse, and then suspended after a second violation. The Commissioner's Office does not disclose the specific substance in these cases.

Shell, the Angels' third-round pick in 2001, is a well-traveled reliever who spent parts of 2008 and 2009 in the Majors with Washington, appearing in 43 Major League games. He was released by Kansas City in May after going 1-2 with an 8.03 ERA in eight games for Triple-A Omaha, then signed with Atlanta on May 19. The Longview, Texas native finished the season with Triple-A Gwinnett, going 2-5 with a 4.35 ERA in 28 outings, and became a free agent on Nov. 2.

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. It's also been linked to body builders and several former baseball players -- Rafael Palmeiro reportedly tested positive for the substance in 2005 and was suspended 10 games by Major League Baseball. All-time home run king Barry Bonds reportedly used the drug, according to the book Game of Shadows, and Roger Clemens was allegedly given the drug, according to his former trainer, Brian McNamee.

Major League Baseball has now suspended four Minor League players in 2012 for violations of the Minor League program; the Commissioner's Office suspended 69 Minor Leaguers in 2011.