MLB Drops Hammer on Angels Minor Leaguer After Testing Positive for Illegal Substance

He was given a huge suspension without pay.

Angels minor league pitcher Darlin Francia has been suspended for 56 games without pay after testing positive for Stanozolol, the MLB announced on Monday. J.P. Hoornstra of the Orange County Register was among those to report the news.

MLB suspends #Angels minor leaguer Darlin Francia for 56 games without pay. He tested positive for Stanozolol.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) June 5, 2023

Francia, 19, has been with the Angels at the Arizona Complex League this season, the team's rookie affiliate. He was with the DSL Angels in 2021, where he made five appearances, going 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA.

Francia is from Higuey, Dominican Republic, and signed with the Angels as a free agent in 2021. He's slowly worked his way up through the minor leagues, but will now be taking a huge halt with this news.

Stanozolol is a synthetic steroid, and is on the MLB's banned substance list. We'll continue to update you on this story when we learn more, but for now, we know Francia is suspended for the next 56 games without pay.

Here's the official press release from the MLB, announced the suspension for Francia and St. Louis Cardinals minor league picture Leonardo Taveras:

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that two Minor League players have been suspended following their violations of Major League Baseball’s Joint Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Los Angeles Angels Minor League pitcher Darlin Francia, who is currently on the roster of the Arizona Complex League Angels, has received a 56-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Program.

St. Louis Cardinals Minor League pitcher Leonardo Taveras, who is currently on the roster of the High-A Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League, has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Clomiphene, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Program.