Tacoma Rainiers pitcher David Pauley was suspended 50 games Friday for a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment program.

According to a Major League Baseball news release, Pauley, 29, was suspended by the commissioner's office after a second violation for a drug of abuse. The suspension is effective immediately.

Pauley pitched 58 games for the Mariners in 2010 and 2011 before being included in the trade with Detroit on July 30, 2011, that sent Doug Fister to the Tigers. Pauley had pitched so well for the Mariners in the first half of the 2011 season that he was briefly considered a longshot All-Star candidate.

But Pauley struggled with the Tigers, compiling a 6.41 earned-run average in 14 games after the trade, and was released during spring training this year. The Angels signed Pauley on March 23 and brought him to the majors on May 7, but he was designated for assignment June 18 and claimed by the Blue Jays. Pauley was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on July 2 and became a free agent. The Mariners signed him July 12 and assigned him to Tacoma, their Class AAA affiliate.

In 20 games with the Rainiers, which included seven starts (and one complete game), Pauley was 3-2 with a 2.43 ERA. He last pitched Tuesday, a scoreless inning against Reno.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com