Royals minor-leaguer Mike Bianucci gets PED suspension

Northwest Arkansas outfielder Mike Bianucci, second in the Texas League with 12 home runs, was suspended for 80 games for violating the Minor League drug program.

Bianucci, 28, acquired by the Royals as a minor-league free agent in February, is hitting .278 with 34 RBIs. He was drafted by the Rangers in 2008 and has 143 home runs in 695 minor league games.

According to the commissioner’s office, Bianucci was suspended for testing positive for “Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 and metabolite,” considered a performance-enhancing substance.

This story was originally published June 19, 2015 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Royals minor-leaguer Mike Bianucci gets PED suspension."