Five minor-league players, including former Fort Wayne Wizards closer Matt Varner, were suspended Tuesday because they tested positive for steroids.

Varner was suspended for 50 games. He pitched for the Wizards last season.

Arizona Diamondbacks minor-league pitcher Angel Rocha was suspended for 100 games, the toughest penalty baseball has levied for a positive steroids test.

Rocha was suspended for 15 games last June 6. The Diamondbacks would not say which farm team he had been assigned to, spokeswoman Lynita Johnson said.

Besides Varner, other players suspended for 50 games were Los Angeles Angels pitcher Karl Jelinas, New York Mets pitcher Jorge Reyes and St. Louis outfielder Yonathan Sivira.

The penalty for an initial positive test this year was increased from 15 games to 50 for players with minor league contracts, and the penalty for a second positive test rose from 30 games to 100.

For major leaguers, the punishment was lengthened from 10 days to 50 games – but any test for major leaguers is treated as a first positive test.

There were 81 suspensions last season for violations of the minor league drug program, and four minor league pitchers were suspended last week.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's editions of The Journal Gazette or visit http://www.journalgazette.net after 7 a.m. Fort Wayne time Wednesday.