CINCINNATI — Atlanta Braves minor leaguer Rafael Cruz has been suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Baseball announced on Tuesday that the right-handed reliever tested positive for traces of Stanozolol (stah-NO'-zo-lall), a manmade steroid.

The right-hander is 1-1 in eight relief appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett. He signed a minor league deal as a free agent in January after spending the past two years with Chunichi in Japan. He didn't pitch for Chunichi last season because of injuries.

The 32-year-old Cruz began his pro career as a catcher before switching to pitching.