Phillies' Pitcher Alec Asher Suspended 80 Games For Drug Use

Philadelphia, PA -- Phillies starting pitcher Alec Asher has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for using performance enhancing drugs, the league announced in a statement Thursday.

Asher, a 24-year-old right-hander, had been pitching well for AAA Lehigh Valley, the Phillies minor league affiliate, before the news broke.

Asher was part of the package acquired for Cole Hamels in the blockbuster deal at the trade deadline last summer. 

Although he had a rough debut in a few starts with the Phillies last year, Asher had carried a 2.30 in the minors thus far in 2016. 

The Phillies issued a brief statement in response to the announcement from the MLB.

"The Phillies support Major League Baseball's joint prevention and treatment program and are disappointed to hear today's news of Alec's violation."

The substance he tested positive for was dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, according to the MLB. It's the same drug which another Phillies pitcher, Daniel Stumpf, tested positive for in April. Stumpf also received an 80 game suspension.