NEW YORK ó After testing positive for a drug of abuse, former Asheville (N.C.) Tourists pitcher Matt Roney was suspended in late April for 50 games.

Roney, 27, a right-hander in Torontoís minor-league system, was penalized under baseballís minor league drug-testing program.

Roney, who has a 2-0 record and a 0.90 ERA in five relief appearances at Triple A Syracuse, pitched in Asheville in 2001 and 2002.

In the major leagues, Roney has a 1-10 record, going 1-9 in 11 starts and 34 relief appearances for Detroit in 2003 and 0-1 in three relief appearances for Oakland last year.