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03/23/2009 6:09 PM ET
Fresno's Pichardo suspended
Giants prospect tests positive for performance-enhancing substance
Major League Baseball
Fresno's Kelvin Pichardo was suspended for 50 games. (Getty Images)

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• Drug Policy in Baseball coverage

San Francisco Giants pitcher Kelvin Pichardo, a member of the club's 40-man roster, has received a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Pichardo is currently with Triple-A Fresno. His suspension will be effective at the start of the 2009 regular season.

Pichardo was originally signed by Philadelphia as non-drafted free agent in 2003 and was dealt to San Francisco in 2005.

He went 2-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 46 relief appearances for Double-A Connecticut last season, posting a 1.19 ERA in 22 home outings for the Defenders.