Minor leaguers get suspended

NOTES

Two Washington Nationals minor league players were suspended Friday by the commissioner’s office for violating baseball’s minor league drug policy, including a 105-game punishment handed to Double-A infielder Ramon Castro.

Triple-A shortstop Josh Labandeira was suspended 15 games. Castro had two separate violations of the program and was fined an undisclosed amount.

Their suspensions bring the number of minor leaguers penalized for violations under the minor league program to 77.

HR Derby to go global

Major league baseball is going international for its Home Run Derby on All-Star weekend.

Instead of having four players from each league, the commissioner’s office said it will have eight players represent their native countries at the July 11 event at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Clearing the bases

Chicago Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra said he is recovering faster than he expected from surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left groin and hopes to return for the final two months of the regular season. … Right-hander Cesar Carrillo, San Diego’s first-round pick in last month’s draft, agreed to a contract that includes a $1.55 million signing bonus. … Philadelphia placed first baseman Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow. … Detroit made Kirk Gibson its new hitting coach and activated All-Star Magglio Ordonez from the DL. … St. Louis signed first-round draft picks Tyler Greene and Mark McCormick to minor league contracts. … Kansas City activated Mike Sweeney off the 15-day DL and optioned first baseman Justin Huber to Double-A Wichita. … Los Angeles Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly decided to accept an eight-day suspension for having pine tar on his glove.