Diamondbacks minor leaguer suspended 80 games for positive drug test

Arizona Diamondbacks minor league pitcher Listher Sosa was suspended for 80 games Thursday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance program.

The pitcher tested positive for the PED Methandienone, an androgen and anabolic steriod.

“The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Arizona minor league pitcher Listher Sosa, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Reno Aces, has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Methandienone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Joint Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” MLB said in a statement.

Sosa was 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 41 relief appearances last year for Class A Visalia, High A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo. He also made one start for Double-A Amarillo.

The righty marks the third player suspended this year under the minor league program. That also includes the program for minor leaguers assigned outside of the United States and Canada.

How Listher Sosa made his way to the Diamondbacks’ farm system

The pitcher joined Arizona’s farm system in March 2022 in a trade that sent infielder Josh VanMeter to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates added Sosa as a non-drafted free agent in June 2018.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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