The St. Louis Cardinals have now had 19 drug-related suspensions of minor leaguers since 2005.
Until Monday, 2010 had been the best year since 2007 for the St. Louis Cardinals in terms of player suspensions under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The organization, one of the most frequently cited since the program went into full gear in 2005 with 17 suspensions in five years, had none of the first 77 minor leaguers caught this year.
That changed with Monday’s announcement of 50-game suspensions for Cardinals pitchers Jean Carlos De La Cruz and Delvi Rodriguez, both from the Dominican Summer League. They tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance. The two will begin to serve their suspensions at the start of the 2011 season.
De La Cruz, an 18-year-old from Santiago, Dominican Republic, was signed as a non-drafted free agent last October 28. In his rookie pro season, the converted third baseman appeared in just seven games, one since July 31. De La Cruz had a 4.70 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. His strikeout to walk ratio was a poor 11:19.
Rodriguez hails from the same hometown as De La Cruz. The left-hander turns 20 years of age in two weeks, on September 14. He originally signed as a non-drafted free agent on November 25, 2008. In 2009, Rodriguez posted a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA in nine games in relief for the DSL Cardinals. In the just-completed 2010 season, he went 3-1 with a 3.74 in 13 games, including four starts. Rodriguez fanned 41 but issued 24 free passes in 33 2/3 innings.
On the way to six suspensions last year, at this point in 2009, three Cardinals suspensions had been announced. The Cardinals also had six suspensions in 2008, the last time Boldenone was detected in any of their farmhands, with three that year.
Cardinals minor league drug suspensions, 2005-current
| Date | Player Name | Substance | Length |
| 4/4/2005 | Sal Frisella | PEDs | 15 games |
| 5/13/2005 | Jeremy Cummings | PEDs | 15 games |
| 4/18/2006 | Yonathan Sivira | PEDs | 50 games |
| 8/2/2006 | Marcos Chavez | PEDs | 50 games |
| 8/2/2006 | Jonathan Gonzalez | PEDs | 50 games |
| 2/20/2008 | Scott Vander Weg | PEDs | 50 games |
| 7/29/2008 | Braulin Beltre | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 7/29/2008 | Andres Beras | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 7/29/2008 | Yedilson Pena | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 8/25/2008 | Juan Castillo | Stanozolol | 50 games |
| 12/1/2008 | Wilfred Vivas | Methandienone | 50 games |
| 4/9/2009 | Deryk Hooker | Drug of Abuse | 50 games |
| 5/15/2009 | Kenny Maiques | Drug of Abuse | 50 games |
| 6/23/2009 | Dail Villanueva | Nandrolone | 50 games |
| 10/6/2009 | Alan Ahmady | Amphetamines | 50 games |
| 12/4/2009 | Jefferson Segundo | Stanozolol | 50 games |
| 12/21/2009 | Tyler Bighames | Drug of Abuse | 50 games |
| 8/31/2010 | Jean Carlos De La Cruz | Boldenone | 50 games |
| 8/31/2010 | Delvi Rodriguez | Boldenone | 50 games |
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Boldenone seems a muscle helper common in the Dominican. Ambitious lads will do what they have to do to claw their way up the ladder.
From this limited data, abusing yourself with a drug is apecialty of US lads.
Looks like the list is mostly latin players.Whatever it tales to advance i guess.So abusing a drug seems to know no nationality.
These player all surely know that testing is in place.I guess they either think they won`t get caught or they are getting some bad advice about thinking they can hide it.As for the dummies simply nailed abusing drugs……………why take a chance on throwing away a career.
I suspect some of the Latin kids get bad advice from associates, but once in the organizations, there is (supposed to be) education given to ensure they know what is ok and what is not. Of course, it is also posted in the clubhouses, etc, but no one probably reads that.
I certainly have no problem with testing for PEDS in the minors or the majors. But, as a lawyer who has dealt with these issues my concern is with the reliability of some of these tests. There are legal and non performance enhancing substances that could cause false positive tests. I had a case once where a gentleman had used an herbal supplement that caused him to falsely test positive for marijuana. I have seen studies that show a high percentage of false positive tests for other drugs. Under some laws a second confirming test is required. I don’t know if this is the case in MLB.
Yes, let’s hope the players’ rights have been respected in the process. I would expect that is the case, as one might think plenty of lawyers were involved up front. The new HGH testing plans, which will start in the minors, will push this question to the surface again.
On the subject of drug testing it is a little known fact among the average person that the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are steroids. This can be an issue for female athletes who take birth control pills because they can cause a false positive test. Just an example of some of the issues that come up with drug testing.
In truth, its times like these, when team frailty’s are exposed, player weaknesses evident, that the analytical projections of management can be calibrated.
It is also true that in hard times, spiritual needs can be recognized and differentiated from spiritual affirmations with their behavioral manifestations if you will. That is true for players………..but it is especially true for opinionated blogger’s.
Lets look at a few interesting situations………………………………….. Felipe Lopezzzzzzzzzz…….
Some of us understand his problem……..even sympathize………. But it was league wide knowledge that this play had limitations, that he could not assume the “pressures” of an everyday player. Just couldn’t due it. The Reds offed Josh Hamilton for that very reason.
Cards sign him late for a million dollars…………… Because of injury and poor play by managements selections, Tony is forced to use Lopez beyond his warranty……breaking him. Not a dollar was spent is support of Tony’s position. The Feliz deal coming too late, and essentially free………………. Does Tony have a beef?
WC spoke on the pressures to starting pitching from day one surrounded by so many unproven players………….. Even the beautiful and bold have now tasted personal humiliation.
Foreseeable?
Any illusion of the team concept prevailing, were torn away by the emergent AP. The only one objecting was Jay with his silent “no swing” at bats in response. The local sports writers attempting a cover with the ludicrous “Albert chooses playoffs over Triple crown ……..any day”.
Colby sits it out with the very rare calf strain?????????? a rare injury indeed………especially for a runner with his particular gait. ……………… Any inappropriate weight training going on? Somebody got pissed at his rehab progress………..
Brad Penny……………………. no bleeding from the tear? slow to diagnose? Considering glaring run support problems, does a wise agent leave him in limbo, injured hitting a grand slam….targeting a pitching starved market???????????? Kuroda, Lilly, both waived…….but LA only five out of a faltering Wild Card race???????? maybe they keep them huh…… interesting move though by the dodgers………………… Florida busted for hustling money in hidden transactions……..BD with a fetish for exotic insurance investments……….funds coming from team operations? Payouts going to a special account………….maybe??????………..tough luck about Brad huh. Just kind of let that sit.
Lunch time……………..
lineup; Jay RF, Raz CF, Pujols 1B, Holliday LF, Molina C, Feliz 3B, Skip 2B, Ryan SS, Carp P. Also Westbrook has now shaved his head.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_30cd01f0-b515-11df-a278-00127992bc8b.html
Notice the picture………and its location……….the hemlock is served………..BD, you glorious bast–d.
I trust the skip against Wandy is about something……………..Molina 5th………..that’s a loser.
Anything but moving AP it would seem………………….
WC—The skip is about something: Carp pitching against the Reds.
He might mean Skip, not skip. If so, I don’t see why Miles doesn’t start against the lefty. He’s been playing well enough to earn it. I like Jay and Rasmus at the top of the lineup, given the other options.
Damn Westie, after that ramble I thought you had already had lunch — a liquid one!
I think there is a coded message if you read the lineup backwards. Its just Tony communicating with the mothership, nothing about baseball.
WC thought Suppan was pitching against Wandy and I corrected him. That is what made me think he was talking about the rotation. If not, then I stand corrected.
When Mo was thinking about trading Luddy, I’m sure he figured ‘might as well, we’ve got Pedro and Yadi to hit fifth’.
Huh? We didn’t have Pedro when Luddy was traded. Mo thought we would have Freese back.
A fool’s choice by Mo. Even with Freese coming back. Freese OPS’d .540 in the 22 game before going on the DL. Would he have been the Freese of earlier in the season when he came back or the one that was in decline when he went on the DL?
It is Skip against Wandy, and down in the order Crd………….He has nothing on the bench, so he keeps Miles for a move………….. nice choices………………..this is about Jay and Rasmus….Tony realizes the futility now and is flaunting his prerogatives against any reasonable expectation. The war has begun……..pay attention………………this Tony hunch might work. …………. he is attempting to evoke a team concept with the two kids………..lets hope they take the saddle………..Cancer can be a vicious foe.
The game is still a half hour away, who knows what will happen.
CC, in all fairness to Freese, he first hurt his ankle on June 5, over 3 1/2 weeks before he went on the DL. He might have swooned anyway, but he was trying to play through injury during the stretch from which you quoted his stats.
Regarding his future, I share the concern. At what point should his ankle problems be labeled as chronic?
Well after the free agent market has gone cold…………wild guess. Since any meaningful negotiations with AP won’t happen till January…………they aren’t making any moves………nice set up isn’t it……their hands will be tied……… nice.
The betting lines already reflect the lineup posting BB……….. Colby towed the line yesterday. I believe he has special instructions today. We’ll see soon enough.
Ho-hum.
Bourn caught stealing 12 times–3 times by Yadi.
AP 3/1 had nothing to do with baseball. Ball never hit a plane where it could have bee a strike…….he was prospecting. That’s a calculated risk by him………….triple crown the whole way.
And his teammates see it…………….
Nice call by the ump…………if it happens again, start worrying.
I don’t need a bad call to start worrying.
Pagnozzi and Stava………………………..oops!
Can’t win a triple crown like that.
And the train wreck keeps on a goin.
Guess I am the last train wreck watcher.
Cincy’s starter only went 4, so maybe Capmann gets in later. They are winning anyway.
Fear not, the meat cometh up.
The death has them BB……….. Houston bring in 5 rookies for tomorrow……….
You are kidding, right?
Come on Matt. Out of the infield!
The team needs to have another meeting and come up with another body part to do something to. Self flaggellation works for some.
The Astros look bored. Really. It doesn’t take any real effort. They know they are whipping up on the three legged dog of baseball.
Putting Flip in will do the trick. Yeah.
The Reds a just coasting……whipping the snot out of the Brewers. Life is good.
Flip advanced a runner. That’s more than half our lineup has done.
I must admit, Colby looks like a guy who wants to be on the bench.
Chapman struck out the first guy he faced.
Well, Matt got on. Now we have the sub.700 OPS guy and the sub .600 OPS guy. I’m hoping for the best.
You know things are bad when a lead off double gets no reaction by me.
If they keep it going, then we have another sub .700 guy and then another sub .600 guy. Then Aaron Miles, he’s over .700 so he’s one our clubbers.
Skip did not redo his velcro. I noticed it on the last two pitches.
No need to talk on the mound guys. You won.
Now that they are 7 games back they can relax.
Soup’s on……………………….. we know it isn’t going to have any hair in it…….that’s a good thing.
Watch the press during this period. It should start to get interesting.
Albert is .011 behind Votto now.
Carp made one bad pitch and it was all over. I think they all knew it.
Postgame, Tony could just send in a cardboard cut out with canned platitudes. We know what he will say.
Maybe he will do us all a favor and skip the post game.
The press in STL make things interesting? That will be the day.
Brian, in respone to #21, I no longer give players any slack for playing through injury and under performing. Either they are at fault or the manager is at fault or both but it is ridiculous.
Should we worry about Freese’s ankle being a contunual problem? Hard to say w/o the medical reports. I’m worried about him coming back or not. If he comes back and is hitting well (including for power) I probably will forget about the ankle. But who knows if that will be the case.
crd………..you’re a member of the secret society………….who are the seven call ups Brian predicted?
Dusty on Chapman: “. . . if you can handle pitching for food, you can certainly handle pitching here.”
WC, you need to check the main site now and then. I don’t give all my work away for free!
Here is the link (subscriber content) to my call-up predictions article.
To add insult to injury Phils and Giants both leading.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre told Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times that he expects to be able to work out a deal with the Dodgers this offseason if he decides to manage in 2011
This is what I’ve been sniffing around for……………….
Thanks Brian……………………………………………………………………………………………..I’ll check that out.
It appears the Padres may have caught the disease. They are on their way to losing 6 in a row.
Wow, glad I did not pay attention to last night’s game. What a pathetic losing streak.