Things sign suspended RHP Madrid
The Wild Things signed right-handed pitcher Roman Madrid Friday and placed him on the team’s suspended list.
Madrid (6-0, 185) played three seasons in the San Diego Padres’ system after being their seventh-round draft pick in 2012 out of the University of Central Florida. Madrid was drafted as a catcher out of high school in Victoria, Texas, by Cleveland but did not sign.
A relief pitcher, Madrid had a 13-4 record with 35 saves in his first two seasons in the minors, but he pitched in only 12 games last year for Lake Elsinore in the Class A California League.
Madrid was released by the Padres March 7, two days before he was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine, a stimulant in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
According to Steve Tahsler, deputy commissioner of the Frontier League, Madrid will be required to sit out 30 games before playing for the Wild Things. Because the 96-game Frontier League season is shorter than a full-season league in the affiliated minor leagues, the FL shortens all 50-suspensions to 30.