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Cardinals minor leaguer Corey Littrell suspended 50 games
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NEW YORK -- St. Louis left-hander Corey Littrell, a grandson of former big league infielder Jack Littrell Sr., was banned 50 games following a second positive test for a drug of abuse, the commissioner's office said Wednesday.
Corey Littrell, who turns 25 next month, was 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in 13 relief appearances last year at Double-A Springfield of the Texas League and 1-4 with a 4.56 ERA in one start and 39 relief appearances at Triple-A Memphis. He was acquired from Boston in July 2014 along with pitcher John Lackey in the trade that sent outfielder Allen Craig and right-hander Joe Kelly to the Red Sox.
Corey Littrell's father, Jack Littrell Jr., pitched in the minor leagues for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Montreal from 1977-80. Jack Littrell Sr. pitched for the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics and the Chicago Cubs from 1952-57.
There have been 11 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program.