Ward, Richardson suspended 50 games
Ward, who is currently playing in the Mexican Pacific (Winter) League, tested positive for an amphetamine, while Richardson, a lefty who spent half of 2010 in the Majors, tested positive for an amphetamine, Letrozole and metabolite, Methandienone metabolite, Methenelone and metabolite and Trenbolone and metabolite.
Both players, currently free agents, will begin serving their suspensions once they sign with a Major League organization.
Ward, a 36-year-old veteran of 948 Major League games over 11 seasons, appeared in 28 games last season for Double-A Mobile, hitting .318 with a pair of homers and 18 RBIs in 85 at-bats with the D-backs' organization. He was batting .247 in 25 games in Mexico for Guasave this winter through Dec. 30.
The first baseman has spent time with the Astros, Braves, Tigers, Pirates, Reds, Cubs, Nationals, White Sox and Dodgers prior to signing with Arizona on Aug. 1. He was originally drafted by Detroit in 1994.
Richardson, 28, pitched in 29 games from 2009-'10 for Boston before the Red Sox traded him to Florida in November for Andrew Miller. He split the 2011 season in the Minors with the Braves and Marlins, going 3-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 23 relief outings for Triple-A New Orleans. The Braves claimed him off waivers June 22, and he went 1-0 with a 6.00 in 23 games for Triple-A Gwinnett.
The Red Sox's fifth-round pick in 2006 tested positive for a variety of banned substances -- Letrozole is a drug typically prescribed for post-surgery breast cancer patients and Methandienone, or Methandrostenolone, is an anabolic steroid designed to promote muscle growth. Methenelone is also an anabolic steroid that has previously been linked to Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds, and Trenbolone is a steroid used by veterinarians on livestock to increase muscle growth and appetite.
The suspensions come one day after Major League Baseball suspended free agent right-handers Mike Hart and Steven Shell for 50 games; Shell also pitched for Gwinnett in 2011.
The Commissioner's Office has suspended six players in 2012 after banning 69 Minor Leaguers last yer.
Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com.