Chattanooga Lookouts left fielder Andrew Lambo was suspended 50 games Saturday following a second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
He will miss the rest of the Southern League's first half.
Lambo hit .342 in 19 games with seven doubles, two triples, two home runs and 13 RBIs. The 21-year-old is the No. 7 Los Angeles Dodgers prospect according to Baseball America after being rated No. 1 last year, when he hit .256 in 130 games with the Lookouts.
"The Dodgers are disappointed to learn of this news, and we fully support Major League Baseball's drug policy and its penalties," the team said in a release Saturday night. "The organization does not condone the use of any substance not sanctioned by MLB's medical staff."
A drug of abuse could be marijuana, cocaine, heroin or LSD, and it is different from a performance-enhancing substance.
The Lambo-less Lookouts (11-12) lost to Tennessee 4-2 Saturday night at AT&T Field. Smokies pinch-hitter Russ Canzler broke a 2-2 deadlock with a two-run home run to left field off new Lookouts relief pitcher Cole St. Clair with two out in the seventh inning.
Lambo was pulled from the lineup before Friday night's 8-4 loss to the Smokies and entered Saturday ranked 10th in the league in hitting and fifth in slugging percentage (.566). He told the Times Free Press last week, "It's going good, and I'm seeing the ball well. I'd like for it to continue."
The Dodgers selected Lambo in the fourth round of the 2007 draft out of Newbury Park (Calif.) High School.
Dodgers farm director De Jon Watson said the team release would serve as his comment, adding, "This was going to come from the top down."
Said Lookouts owner Frank Burke: "We're part of this testing program, and we support what they're doing. This is a Dodger issue."
Lambo's roster spot was taken by Dustin Yount, the 27-year-old son of former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop and outfielder Robin Yount, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. Yount recently was signed by the Dodgers out of Independent ball.
Lambo is the 19th minor league player to be suspended for drug issues this year.