Mets' catcher, pitcher suspended

NEW YORK -- A pair of Mets Minor Leaguers were suspended on Thursday following their second violations of the Minor League drug program.

Catcher Charles "Dock" Doyle and right-handed pitcher Scott Moviel were suspended for 50 games after each violated the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program a second time. Both bans were for a drug of abuse.

The suspensions will be effective at the start of this season. Players are typically issued a warning following a first positive test for a drug of abuse, followed by a suspension for a second offense. Substances considered "drugs of abuse" by Major League Baseball include cocaine, marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy and other opiates.

Doyle, New York's fifth-round pick in the 2008 Draft out of Coastal Carolina University, hit .296 with a pair of homers and 11 RBIs in 24 games at Class A Advanced St. Lucie last season, his fourth in the Minors. The 25-year-old was a New York-Penn League All-Star for Brooklyn in 2009.

Moviel, 23, went 5-10 with a 5.10 ERA in 26 games as a Florida State League All-Star with St. Lucie. He was the Mets' second-round pick in 2007 out of St. Edward High School in Cleveland.

Doyle and Moviel are the third and fourth players suspended this week -- Christian Carmichael, a 19-year-old Mariners prospect, received a 50-game suspension Monday after testing positive for Methylhexaneamine, and free agent pitcher Rolman Candelario was also banned 50 games for using an anabolic steroid.

The Office of the Commissioner has suspended 13 players this year under the Minor League program.