Pitcher Owens hit by lengthy ban

Florida Marlins pitcher Henry Owens has been suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

The 29-year-old has not pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) since June 2007 because of shoulder trouble.

Owens is the third player to be banned in 2008 under MLB's anti-drugs policy.

There were also 66 minor league bans handed out, including 40 in the Dominican Summer League and 10 in the Venezuelan Summer League.

Owens made three relief appearances for the Marlins in 2006. He pitched 22 times in 2007, going 2-0 with four saves and briefly became the team's closer.

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