Northwest Arkansas Naturals infielder Raul Mondesi was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for testing positive for clenbuterol, a banned substance.
The 20-year-old Mondesi, rated as the Kansas City Royals' top minor league prospect and among the top 50 prospects in Major League Baseball by Baseball America, had the suspension reduced from 80 games to 50 through a settlement with the MLB Players Association when he proved the substance was in cold medicine. He was hitting .250 with five home runs and 15 RBIs and is 11-of-12 in stolen bases in 25 games this season for the Naturals.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore called it "an innocent mistake" by Mondesi in a release.
"This is an unfortunate incident that we believe to be an innocent mistake, but these are the consequences that players face when they do not adhere to the policies that have been collectively bargained," Moore said. "We have a protocol in place with our medical team should a player ever have questions about what they may be taking, even if an over-the-counter medication. In this particular case, the protocol was not followed, and the consequences are such."
Since Mondesi is on Kansas City's 40-man roster, the suspension is considered of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program despite the fact he is currently playing in Double-A in the Texas League.
Mondesi became the first player to make his Major League debut in the World Series last season with the Royals, after hitting .243 with six home runs and 33 RBIs in 81 games at Northwest Arkansas. He also stole 19 bases in 25 attempts.
He should be eligible to return to Northwest Arkansas on roughly July 3, pending rainouts, and will be eligible for postseason play at the Major League and Minor League levels per team officials.
-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
Sports on 05/11/2016