NEW YORK (AP) New York Yankees catcher Ryan Baker has been suspended 50 games for refusing to take an offseason drug test in violation of baseball's minor league drug program.
Baker made just two appearances last season, as a pitcher for minor league Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Baker, who will be 29 in November, has been in the Yankees system since 2008 without reaching the majors.
He is currently on the squad of Class-A Charleston of the South Atlantic League. The suspension announced Wednesday will begin at the start of the RiverDogs' season.
There have been 60 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program and 15 under the major league program.
