M’s minor leaguer tests positive for drugs

NEW YORK – Seattle Mariners minor league outfielder Jamal Strong was suspended for 10 days Tuesday, making him the fourth player to test positive under major league baseball’s new policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Strong, who played 12 games for Seattle in 2003, was with Triple-A Tacoma this season. The speedy leadoff man hit .235 with three runs batted in through 12 games.

Strong, 26, was sent down to the minors in late March. He hit .324 with three homers, 24 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 64 games for Tacoma last year.

In 2003, he went 0 for 2 in his brief time with the Mariners.

He missed half of that season after dislocating his left shoulder on a headfirst slide.

Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi declined comment.

Because he was on option to the minors at the time of the suspension, Strong will lose $3,148 in pay.