Twins minor league reliever Cam Booser has been suspended 50 games because of a second positive test for a drug of abuse.
Booser, 25, pitched 2 ⅔ innings for Class A Fort Myers before returning to extended spring training. The lefthander throws around 95 miles per hour but has had control problems in his career. He had a 3.38 ERA in three outings for the Miracle this season but walked seven batters.
Booser was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Since he's on the roster at rookie league Elizabethton, his suspension will start at the beginning of the Appalachian League season. That will take up most of the 68-game schedule.
Under MLB drug policy, drugs of abuse are related to cocaine, marijuana, opiates or phencyclidine (PCP).
Hughes on rehab stint
Righthander Phil Hughes is headed to Class AAA Rochester to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment. He is scheduled to pitch Wednesday in relief of lefthander Hector Santiago, who is making a rehab start of his own. Hughes was placed on the disabled list on May 22 because of right arm soreness. Hughes had surgery last year to treat thoracic outlet syndrome, and believes the soreness came from scar tissue from the surgery.
La Velle E. Neal III
