Three Rays minor leaguers suspended 50 games after testing positive for meth

Everyone's going to rush to make the same Breaking Bad jokes on this one, but the news isn't funny at all given that it concerns real people with real problems:

Three members of the Tampa Bay Rays minor-league organization were suspended on Thursday after testing positive for methamphetamine and an amphetamine.

Here's the statement from the league:

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that three Minor League players in the Tampa Bay Rays organization have been suspended following their violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Second baseman Ryan Brett, pitcher Charles Cononie and pitcher Justin Woodall, all of whom are with Single-A Bowling Green of the Midwest League, each tested positive for methamphetamine and an amphetamine.

All three players have received 50-game suspensions without pay, effective immediately.

Baseball America says that Brett was the organization's top second baseman coming into the year, but I'm going to guess this is the sort of thing that will hurt your big-league dreams.

Then again, being stuck in the minor leagues for a few more years — or forever —  doesn't look to the worst of these prospects' problems right now.

Want more baseball fun all season long?
Follow @bigleaguestew, @KevinKaduk and the BLS Facebook page!