23-year-old RHP Estarlin Morel has received a 25-game suspension without pay for a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension is effective immediately.

Morel had pitched 40.2 innings this season across two levels, St. Lucie and Savannah, and was currently on the Sand Gnats roster. He had not allowed a run in 5.1 innings with the Gnats, but posted a 4.33 ERA in 35.1 innings with St. Lucie. Obviously, this is a little disappointing.

If anything, I hope this serves to validate Cesar Puello‘s breakout in the eyes of some people — if Morel was suspended, it confirms that the minor leaguers are still undergoing random testing and Puello must be staying clean.