2 minor league pitchers draw 50-game drug suspensions

Feb 4, 2016 - 10:09 PM NEW YORK (AP) Two minor league pitchers have been suspended 50 games each because of drug violations.

Oakland right-hander Sean Murphy and San Diego righty Ryan Butler were penalized Thursday by the commissioner's office. They both tested positive for a second time for a drug of abuse.

The 27-year-old Murphy didn't pitch last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He reached Triple-A in 2014 and is 32-32 with a 4.26 ERA in five seasons.

The 23-year-old Butler was 3-5 with a 4.59 ERA at three levels last year, making it to Double-A. He pitched well in the recent Arizona Fall League.

There have been 13 suspensions this year under the minor league program.