Perez suspended second time: Year over, maybe Tigers' career, too.

Byline: Jon Paul Morosi

Aug. 4--One day before his first suspension was due to expire, Tigers infielder Neifi Perez was suspended Friday by Major League Baseball a second time.

This suspension -- for a third positive amphetamines test, under MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program -- will last 80 games and likely signal the end of his career with the Tigers.

Perez became the first major leaguer disciplined under baseball's new amphetamines policy when the commissioner's office announced his 25-game suspension July 6.

MLB began testing for stimulants last year. Perez's first positive test did not result in a penalty, but subjected him to six unannounced tests over the subsequent 12 months. One of those tests resulted in the 25-game suspension. Another yielded his latest suspension.

It's not clear when, or how far apart, the three positive tests took place.

Perez, who will forfeit about $1.25 million of the $2.5 million he was due to make this year, will be a free agent after the season. Given his production -- a .172 batting average -- and the suspensions, it is highly unlikely Perez will return.