NEW YORK (AP) – Former Colorado Rockies pitcher Dan Serafini was suspended for 50 games Tuesday, the second player to fail a test for a performance-enhancing drug this season under Major League Baseball’s testing program.

The 33-year-old left-hander played in three games and allowed two earned runs in one-third of an inning with the Rockies last season. Currently a free agent, Serafini has played for Minnesota, the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Cincinnati.

Serafini blamed the positive result on substances prescribed by a doctor in Japan, where he was limited to a total of 16 games in 2006 and 2007 because of what he described as “significant injuries.”

“While trying to accelerate the healing process of these injuries, I took substances that were prescribed for me by a doctor in Japan,” Serafini said in a statement. “What I did not know at the time was that these substances would cause me to test positive once I returned to the U.S.”

“I have not taken these or any banned substances since returning to the U.S. and signing with the Colorado Rockies organization in July.”

Serafini’s suspension is the 34th of the season for both the minor and major leagues. He is the second major leaguer this season to be suspended for performance-enhancing drugs. Pitcher Juan Salas of Tampa Bay was suspended 50 games on May 7.

Cincinnati’s Ryan Jorgensen was suspended for 50 games on Sept. 7, but the specific reason for the suspension wasn’t given.

In addition, Detroit’s Neifi Perez was suspended twice for testing positive for a stimulant, receiving penalties of 25 and 80 games, and outfielder Mike Cameron, now a free agent, was suspended 25 games for testing positive for a stimulant.

AP-ES-11-27-07 1709EST