MANCHESTER, N.H. -- New Britain Rock Cats first baseman Luis Jimenez was informed just prior to the season opener Thursday that he has been suspended 15 days by Major League Baseball for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

 

Jimenez tested positive last season while playing in the Los Angeles Dodgers system for the Columbus Catfish of the South Atlantic League. His suspension comes after 38 minor league players were suspended Monday after violating the minor league's steroid policy.
 
Jimenez was scheduled to bat cleanup against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats until Rock Cats manager Stan Cliburn received a phone call from Minnesota Twins director of baseball operations Rob Antony during pregame workouts at about 5:20 p.m.

 

"It was something he obviously knew about because he filed an appeal back in October of last year," Cliburn said. "I guess he lost his appeal."

 

Cliburn wasn't told whether Jimenez, 22, tested positive for steroids or an over-the-counter substance.

 

"They did two tests in the first 3 1/2 months and they said they found drugs in the second test in June," said Jimenez, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound left-handed hitter from Barquismeto, Venezuela. "They didn't find anything in the first test or the third test either. It was just the second one so I appealed it last year."

 

With the appeal pending, Jimenez was allowed to finish the season and also played in the Venezuelan Winter League. The Twins signed him as a free agent December 17.

 

Jimenez says he is innocent.

 

"I swear I didn't take nothing," he said. "I'm 100 percent clean.

 

"I can't do anything about it. I'll just (serve) my 15 games and keep working. I've got my mind clear. If I can do something about it in the future, I will, but right now I can't do anything. The rules are the rules and if they said they found something on my test, there isn't anything I can do."

 

Jimenez enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Catfish last year, smashing 20 homers, driving in 75 runs and batting .288 in 110 games. It was by far his most productive season.

 

In 2002 with the Orioles organization at Bluefield of the short-season Appalachian League, Jimenez hit .375 with eight homers and 42 RBI in 51 games. In 53 games with Aberdeen of the South Atlantic League in 2003, he hit only .244 with one homer and 21 RBI .

 

"I don't need (drugs)," Jimenez said. "I weigh 270. I've got pop. I don't need steroids for any more pop."

 

While Cliburn was upset about losing his cleanup hitter, he strongly supports the campaign against performance-enhancing drugs.

 

"Hey, it's great," Cliburn said. "It's going to show these guys that we mean business. Management, the front office, the commissioner's office, the United States government are going to clean this thing up. I'm glad to see it, but it's unfortunate for Jimenez. He's a great kid. He obviously had some illegal substance last year and now it's going to make him a better person."

 

The homestanding New Hampshire Fisher Cats also have a player on the restricted list for testing positive. Shortstop Raul Tablado, who hit .306 with 21 homers and 76 RBI in the Florida State League last year, will also face the consequences.