Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez suspended 50 games for performance-enhancing drugs

Reds pitcher Volquez suspended 50 games for drugs

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez has been suspended 50 games following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. Major League Baseball announced the penalty Tuesday.

Volquez is recovering from surgery on his right elbow and is expecting back around midseason. He was an All-Star in 2008 when he went 17-6 for the Reds.

The 26-year-old starter was 4-2 last season.

Volquez is the first player suspended under the major league drug program since Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was penalized 50 games last May.