MLB Hands Stiff Suspension to Rockies Teenage Pitching Prospect

Colorado Rockies prospect Ulises Reyes was one of two minor league pitchers suspended Friday by the Major League Baseball commissioner’s office following substance abuse violations.

Reyes was suspended 56 games without pay after a positive test for Stanozolol. That’s a performance-enhancing substance that is included on the list of banned items under the drug prevention and treatment program for minor league players who are assigned to rosters outside the United States and Canada.

He has been on the roster of the Dominican Summer League Rockies.

Also suspended was Jeison Pena, a free agent minor league pitcher. He received an 80-game ban, without pay, after a positive test for the same substance. Pena is subject to the rules of the U.S.-based drug prevention and treatment program.

Reyes, a 19-year-old right-hander, has thrown 18 innings in 15 professional games and is 1-0 with a 7.00 ERA. The Venezuela native has given up 27 hits and 16 runs (14 earned) with batters hitting .338 against him.

Pena spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Mudcats, the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. He was released on Oct. 8 after a season in which he was 3-1 with a 5.02 ERA and two saves in two opportunities. He gave up 39 hits and struck out 35 in 43 innings.

In the minors since 2021, Reyes has a career record of 11-5 wth a 5.39 ERA in 101 games (four starts). He was not on the Rockies list of top 30 prospects (per MLB.com) at the end of 2024.

The Rockies’ pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to the spring training facility at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Feb. 13.