Red Sox minor-league pitcher Raphy Gil has received a 56-game suspension for violating the Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for Minor League players assigned outside of the United States and Canada, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday.
Gil, a right-hander who pitched in the Dominican Summer League this season, tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol, which is known for its ability to promote fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass. The recently-turned 19-year-old has been placed on the restricted list and will not be paid while serving his suspension.
A native of the Dominican Republic himself, Gil signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent coming out of Higuey on June 13. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound hurler made his professional debut nine days later and posted a 0.90 ERA (4.78 FIP) with eight strikeouts to six walks in eight relief appearances (10 innings) for DSL Red Sox Red. Opposing hitters batted .211 against him.
Gil is not currently ranked among Boston’s top 60 prospects by SoxProspects.com. He becomes the third Red Sox minor-league pitcher to be suspended for testing positive for Stanozolol this year, joining fellow righties Charlie Zink and Anthony Felix.
In addition to Gil, Guardians minor-league pitcher Abraham Tejada was also placed on the restricted list and handed down a 56-game suspension without pay on Thursday after testing positive for Stanozolol. Tejada spent the last two seasons in the Dominican Summer League after signing with Cleveland in January 2022.
