Owens draws 50-game ban

NEW YORK: Major League Baseball suspended Florida Marlins' righthanded pitcher Henry Owens for 50 games on Tuesday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Owens, 29, who is currently with the Marlins' minor league affiliate in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will begin serving the suspension at the start of the 2009 regular season.

"We are disappointed that Henry Owens received a positive test, and fully endorse the discipline outlined in the MLB policy," Marlins president Larry Beinfest said. "We will continue to work with and educate our players to help prevent any further violations."