Astros Minor Leaguer Suspended 50 Games

NEW YORK (AP) _ A minor league player in the Houston Astros’ organization has been suspended 50 games after a second violation for a drug of abuse.

First baseman Jonathan Singleton was penalized Wednesday by the commissioner’s office. He was the first player banned this year under the minor league drug program.

The 21-year-old Singleton hit .284 with 21 home runs and 79 RBIs at Double-A Corpus Christi. Singleton, who also plays outfield, was traded by Philadelphia to Houston in July 2011 in the deal for Hunter Pence.

There were 105 suspensions last year under the minor league drug problem and eight under the major league program.

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