Matijevic returns from 50-game suspension; demoted to advanced Class A

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Matijevic returns from 50-game suspension; demoted to advanced Class A

Bill Beckner | Wednesday, June 26, 2019 3:15 p.m.

Arizona’s JJ Matijevic, right, dives safely back to first ahead of the tag from UC Santa Barbara first baseman Austin Bush on a pickoff attempt by UC Santa Barbara’s Justin Kelly, left rear, during the second inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball game Wednesday, June 22, 2016, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Ted Kirk)

Local minor-leaguer JJ Matijevic is back from his league-imposed 50-game suspension.

The former Norwin and Arizona star, who is trying to climb the ranks with the the Houston Astros, was penalized by the commissioner’s office after he failed a drug test for a second time.

The drug he used was not revealed.

Matijevic had been sitting out since April 30 but returned Friday with the Class A-Advanced Fayetteville (N.C.) Woodpeckers. He had been playing in Class AA.

Matijevic was assigned to Fayetteville, from the Corpus Christi (Texas) Hooks, on June 21. He has played four games since, and has launched a pair of home runs. He played one game at first base and three as the designated hitter.

He had a two-hit night Saturday on the road at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

After going 0 for 4 in his return, he is 4 for 15 with three runs and two RBIs for Fayetteville. For the season, Matijevic is hitting .244 with four homers, five doubles and nine RBIs.

He has played with four teams since 2017 and has 33 homers and 102 RBIs in 183 games.

JJ Matijevic (@TweetinJ_23) with a solo HR for @WoodpeckersNC his 4th HR of the season #Astros

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) June 25, 2019

JJ Matijevic

Solo

1-0

Top 1st#TakeFlight ?Listen Live Here: https://t.co/9TUU1xqPRq pic.twitter.com/s0eHT9cg7Q

— ? Fayetteville Woodpeckers (@WoodpeckersNC) June 25, 2019

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