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Phillies minor-leaguer Steve Geltz suspended for drug use

The pitcher was signed last month by the Phillies and invited to spring training. He was barred after a third failed drug test.

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Steven Geltz in May 2015.
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Steven Geltz in May 2015.Read moreAP File Photo
    by Matt Breen
    Published 

Steve Geltz, a pitcher who was signed last month by the Phillies and invited to spring training, was suspended by Major League Baseball  for 100 games  Saturday after a third failed drug test.

Geltz, 30, spent last season in the minors with the Dodgers farm system, which was run by new Phillies manager Gabe Kapler. A good camp would have given Geltz a legitimate shot at cracking the Phillies bullpen as they plan to start the season with eight relievers. His suspension begins at the beginning of the season. Geltz had a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings last season at triple A. The righthander has appeared in 110 major-league games over four seasons with the Angels and Rays.

His positive test was for a drug of abuse and not a stimulant or performance enhancer. Geltz was suspended for 50 games in May 2014 after testing positive for marijuana when he was with Tampa Bay. That was his second failed test; a first failed test does not carry a suspension.