Red Sox prospect suspended 80 games after positive test

Yankory Pimentel is the third Red Sox farm-hand to be suspended for PED use in 2017.

Boston Red Sox right-handed pitching prospect Yankory Pimentel has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for Stanazolol. The 23-year-old had recently been promoted to Double-A Portland after posting a 2-1 record with a 1.54 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 23.1 relief innings at High-A Salem. In four games with the Sea Dogs, he experienced some relative struggles, allowing four runs over six innings.

Pimentel was signed to a minor league contract in February of 2012 and has since worked his way through the Red Sox’ minor league system. In 274 career innings, he owns a 2.66 ERA, 1.215 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 and a K:BB ratio of 2.71.

As far as prospects go, Pimentel is far from a household name but does have some projected upside as a major league reliever. According to Sox Prospects, his raw stuff had intriguing potential.

"Very intriguing bullpen arm with the potential for two above-average-to-better pitches with the ability to throw strikes with both offerings and elicit swing-and-misses. Stuff could profile in a late-inning role, but will need to improve consistency and command and control."

The performance enhancing substance that Pimentel tested positive for was Stanozolol, commonly sold under the name Winstrol, is an anabolic steroid. It was a popular substance during MLB’s steroid era, as it is ingested orally in tablet form as opposed to injections. It also made a slight comeback in the 2015 season when four players, including Twins starter Ervin Santana and Mets closer Jenrry Mejia, were suspended 80 games as a result of positive tests.

Pimentel pushes the list of Red Sox minor leaguers suspended for drug infractions in 2017 to two. Shortstop Jeremy Rivera and catcher Tyler Spoon were suspended for 72 and 50 games respectively earlier in the year.

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With just 86 games remaining in the Sea Dogs’ 2017 schedule, the suspension to Pimentel will effectively end his season.