Astros prospect Santangelo suspended for steroids, By: Brian Mctaggart

May 7, 2007

Catcher Lou Santangelo, who was at spring training with the Astros and began the season at Class AA Corpus Christi, became the first player in the Astros' organization to be suspended for steroids today.

Major League Baseball suspended Santangelo for 50 games, effective today, for using a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.

Santangelo, who was hitting .236 in 19 games for the Hooks, was sent home by the club after being informed by assistant general manager Ricky Bennett he had failed the test.

"I'm extremely disappointed, and we've certainly made that known to Lou," general manager Tim Purpura said. "That's the first time we've had a positive test since his testing program began a couple of years ago.

"It's a big disappointment for us. We feel like we've done a lot to educate players, but sometimes they make decisions that don't make a lot of sense, and this is one of them. I'm very disappointed."

Santangelo, 24, hit .241 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs last year for Class A Salem and was named to the Carolina League All-Star team. The Astros drafted him in the fourth round in 2004.