According to the Twitter feeds of the Atlanta Braves beat writers, right-handed relief pitcher Billy Bullock has been suspended 50 games after violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. This is his second violation. It was apparently not a PED, but a "drug of abuse."

Bullock was acquired from the Minnesota Twins two years ago in exchange for starting pitcher Scott Diamond. Bullock has shown promise as a hard throwing reliever, holding opponents to low batting averages and racking up high strikeout totals, but he has also tallied high walk totals throughout his career. He was highly regarded as a bullpen prospect, but that excitement has been tempered by his lack of progress this past year.

He has spend the majority of the past two season at double-A Mississippi, and did not fare well in a late season promotion to triple-A. The suspension will begin at the start of the 2013 regular season.