Chicago White Sox minor league pitcher Christian Edwards tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and has been suspended for 80 games, Major League Baseball announced Friday.
It was Edwards’ first positive drug test, which led to his lengthy suspension. A second positive test would result in Edwards being suspended for an entire season.
A third positive test, like the sport he plays, would mean he is ruled out, in this case barred from baseball.
Edwards never rose above Single-A baseball, where he currently is, with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in North Carolina.
Edwards has spent his entire professional career in the White Sox organization as an 11th-round draft pick in 2021.
Chicago White Sox minor leaguer Christian Edwards (not pictured) has been suspended for 80 games
Before joining the White Sox, Edwards pitched for Division-I Jacksonville State.
With the Cannon Ballers having less than 80 games left in their season, Edwards’ season is over, as is the start of his 2025 season should the White Sox bring him back into the organization.
The positive test is another ugly sign on the White Sox season.
Chicago has by far the worst team in Major League Baseball at 20-56 and is 29 games behind the Guardians for first place in the American League Central.
The second-worst team in baseball, the Colorado Rockies, has six more wins than the White Sox.
Chicago’s rebuild will likely depend on cultivating the farm system to have big stars in the top league over the next five years.
Now at least one of their pitching prospects in Edwards may not develop until next year.