Jonathan Singleton suspended for marijuana use

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com is reporting that Astros minor leaguer Jonathan Singleton has been suspended for the first 50 games of the 2013 season. Singleton tested positive for marijuana and issued the following statement/apology.

"I was informed today that I have tested positive for marijuana. As a result, I am being suspended for the first 50 games of the 2013 season. I accept the penalty and take full responsibility for my actions. I apologize to my parents, the Houston Astros and  Jeff Luhnow. The Astros have been nothing but supportive of me and good to me in my short time with the organization. My hope is to use this as a learning experience and spend the rest of my career proving to myself and the baseball community that this was a lapse in judgment, and is not in any way indicative of my character or my dedication to baseball or to my team."

Jonathan Singleton (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

This is Singleton’s second failed test for a recreational drug. The result is a 50-game suspension. Let’s hope the 21-year old learns his lesson this time and this is not an indication of things to come. Singleton is one of the most highly touted prospects in the Astros organization and fans are anxious to see him arrive in the big leagues. The suspension will likely push his arrival date back and a September callup could now be a long shot.

Last winter Astros outfielder Jordan Schafer was arrested for marijuana possession. Schafer was given probation and the Astros took a mostly silent stance on the issue. Expect the team to issue a statement in the next 24 hours regarding Singleton’s suspension.