Reds’ minor league pitcher suspended

NEW YORK (AP) — A minor league pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization has been suspended 50 games after a second violation of baseball’s drug policy.

Right-hander Daniel Tuttle’s suspension is effective immediately, the office of Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday. It is unknown what substance caused the violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, but MLB said it was a “drug of abuse.”

Tuttle made five appearances, including three starts, for the Reds in the rookie Arizona League, going 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA. He also has started 11 games this season for Dayton in the Class A Midwest League, compiling a 4-3 record with a 4.87 ERA.

Kentucky player out after tearing ACL

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky coach John Calipari says junior guard Jon Hood has suffered a torn right ACL playing in a pickup game.

The school says Hood will undergo surgery after the inflammation subsides, but it’s not known when he will return. The injury happened Monday.

Hood scored 26 points in 33 games last season, averaging 0.8 point per game.

Giants get Keppinger in deal with Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have traded second baseman Jeff Keppinger to the San Francisco Giants for two Double-A pitchers.

Houston also purchased the contract of infielder Jose Altuve from Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday.

Keppinger is batting .307 with four homers and 20 RBIs in 43 games this season since his return from foot surgery.

The Giants have had injury problems at second base this season with Freddy Sanchez out since June 10 with a dislocated right shoulder. They signed former Houston second baseman Bill Hall after Sanchez was injured, but he is on the disabled list because of with a leg laceration.

The last-place Astros received right-handed starter Henry Sosa and right-hander reliever Jason Stoffel.

Southern Miss, BYU agree to play 2 games

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Southern Miss and BYU have agreed to play a home-and-home football series beginning in 2014.

BYU, which recently became an independent football program after leaving the Mountain West Conference, will host the Golden Eagles in 2014 in Provo, Utah. BYU will make the return trip to Southern Miss in 2015.

The teams have played twice before, splitting two games in 1975 and 1976.