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Former Ray Sosa Suspended

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The Associated Press

Published: August 22, 2008

NEW YORK - Former major-league pitcher Jorge Sosa, now in the Seattle Mariners organization, was suspended Thursday for 50 games after testing positive under baseball's minor-league drug program.

The 31-year-old right-hander, who began this season with the New York Mets, tested positive for an amphetamine - considered a performance-enhancing substance - while pitching for Triple-A Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League.

The suspension is effective immediately.

Seattle signed Sosa to a minor-league contract in July after he was designated for assignment by the Mets on May 13.

Sosa was 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA in 20 games for the Mets this season after going 9-8 with New York in 2007.

After making his debut with Tampa Bay in 2002, Sosa also had stints with Atlanta and St. Louis in seven major-league seasons.

BRAVES: Pitcher Tom Glavine is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery on his injured left elbow.

The 42-year-old left-hander also had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder Thursday, and the Braves said he should be able to start a throwing program by January.

Glavine isn't under contract for next season and has said he only wants to pitch for Atlanta, close to his home and family.

METS: Ryan Church could be back in New York's outfield for the opener of a four-game series against the Houston Astros tonight.

Church has been sidelined by postconcussion syndrome since he left a game July 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies due to dizziness - six days after he came off the DL. He missed most of June following a May 20 concussion, his second in less than three months.

ROYALS: Outfielder Mitch Maier's right eye was swollen shut and his nose still bleeding Thursday, less than 24 hours after being hit in the face with a pitch.

The Royals placed Maier on the 15-day disabled list with multiple facial fractures.

Maier was holding an ice bag on his face and watching television in the Royals' clubhouse prior to Thursday's game against the Indians. He had a large bandage near his right cheekbone, his nose stuffed with tissue.

Maier was hit by a pitch from Cleveland left-hander Zach Jackson in the fifth inning of Kansas City's 8-5 loss. He was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which revealed the fractures below his right eye.

YANKEES: Carl Pavano, written off by Yankees fans, will return and start for the team Saturday at Baltimore.

The Yankees chose the right-handed Pavano over fellow righty Phil Hughes, who is working his way back from a fractured rib.

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