Braves Prospect Darrel Leiva Suspended 50 Games For Steroids

Braves minor league pitcher Darrel Leiva was suspended 50 games after testing positive for the anabolic steroids Stanozolol and Nandrolon. He was signed out of Nicaragua in 2011 and is in his first season of minor league baseball.

Leiva has shown some promise as a minor league pitcher, according to Baseball America.

Leiva threw 87-89 mph when he signed but has increased his fastball to the low-90s, complementing it with a curveball. He throws strikes but had a 5.27 ERA in 13 2/3 innings over eight relief appearances with four walks and nine strikeouts this year.

Leiva, who is 18 years old, was pitching in the Dominican Summer League for the Braves. He last pitched on Aug. 7, allowing no runs and two hits over two innings.

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