Minor-league pitcher suspended 50 games for refusing drug test

Minor-league pitcher Kyle Pelchy received a 50-game suspension without pay for failing to agree to take an offseason drug test, the commissioner's office announced Wednesday.

Pelchy's refusal is a violation of baseball's minor league drug prevention and treatment program.

His suspension will begin once the free agent signs a contract with a major-league organization.

Pelchy, 23, pitched for the GLC Rays in the Gulf Coast League in 2012 and posted an 0-2 record with a 5.25 ERA in 12 games.

The Tampa Bay Rays' organization signed Pelchy out of Virginia Commonwealth as a free agent in June.