Red Sox minor-league pitcher Charlie Zink has received a 56-game suspension for violating the Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for Minor League players assigned outside of the United States and Canada, Major League Baseball announced on Friday.
Zink, a right-hander in the Dominican Summer League, tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol, which is known for its ability to promote fat loss while retaining lean muscle mass. The 18-year-old has been placed on the restricted list and will not be paid during his suspension.
Not to be confused with the knuckleballer who appeared in one game for the Red Sox in 2008, this Charlie Zink is a native of Curacao who signed with Boston for $70,000 as an international free agent coming out of Willemstad last December. He is not currently ranked by SoxProspects.com as one of the top 60 prospects in the organization.
In four starts for DSL Red Sox Red, Zink posted an 8.53 ERA and 6.78 FIP with five strikeouts to seven walks over 6 1/3 innings to begin his professional career. Opposing hitters batted .250 in 30 plate appearances against the 6-foot-4, 180-pound hurler, who has reportedly touched 95 mph with his fastball.
Zink, who does not turn 19 until January, was not the only minor leaguer to be suspended on Friday. Fellow righty Yeury Tatiz, who is with the Mariners’ High-A affiliate in Modesto, Calif., was handed down an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Clomiphene, which violates the Joint Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
(Picture: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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