Rays, Tigers minor league pitchers given drug suspensions

NEW YORK (AP) Tampa Bay pitcher Damion Carroll and Detroit pitcher Spenser Watkins have been suspended for 50 games each under baseball's minor league drug program following second positive tests for drugs of abuse.

The penalties were announced Monday by the commissioner's office. There have been 34 suspensions this year for violations of the minor league program.

Carroll, a 22-year-old right-hander, was a sixth-round draft pick by the Rays in 2012. He was 5-2 with a 3.64 ERA in 32 relief appearances last year for Bowling Green of the Class-A Midwest League. He is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two games this year for Charlotte of the Class-A Florida State League.

Watkins, a 23-year-old right-hander, was a 30th-round draft pick by the Tigers in 2014. He was 5-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 15 starts and one relief appearance last year for Connecticut of the Class-A New York-Penn League and West Michigan of the Class-A Midwest League. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA for West Michigan this year.