WhiteCaps_MediaDay_13

Spenser Watkins with the Whitecaps.

(Taylor Ballek | MLive.com)

Starting pitcher Spenser Watkins, the Tigers 30th-round draft pick in 2014, was suspended 50 games Monday by Major League Baseball following a second positive test for drug abuse.

The suspension is effective immediately.

Watkins, a right-hander from NCAA Division II Western Oregon, was the Opening Day starter for the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps. He is 1-0 with an ERA of 1.69 in two starts this season. He has struck out 12 and walked three in 10 2/3 innings.

The Whitecaps referred interview requests to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers issued the following statement:

MLB does not release names when a player has a first drug violation, including when it occurs within the minor league drug prevention and treatment program.

The 23-year-old Watkins, who entered the Tigers' system in late 2014, split last season between West Michigan and Connecticut in New York-Penn League. He went 5-4 with a 2.23 ERA in 12 starts in Connecticut and was 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA in four games (three starts) late last season with the Whitecaps.