ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Houston Astros minor league pitcher Julio Rodriguez has been suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing substance, Major League Baseball announced Friday.
Rodriguez, 25, is currently on the roster of the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks of the Texas League. The suspension, effective immediately, is a result of violating the Joint Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Rodriguez has appeared in just 4 1/3 innings this season with Corpus Christi. Across stints with High-A Asheville and Double-A, he holds a 2-0 record with a 6.40 ERA.
Originally signed by the San Francisco Giants in 2018, Rodriguez joined the Astros organization in December 2024 through the Rule 5 Draft. Over his minor league career, the right-hander has compiled an 18-10 record with a 4.71 ERA.
Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid similar to testosterone and is banned under MLB’s drug policy.