Aaron Boone interviews for Yankees manager

NEW YORK » Aaron Boone became the first person with no experience as a manager of coach to interview to become Joe Girardi’s successor with the New York Yankees.

The 44-year-old interviewed Friday, becoming the fourth to go through the process after Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson, former Cleveland and Seattle manager Eric Wedge, and San Francisco bench coach Hensley Meulens.

Boone is a third generation major leaguer and played in the major leagues from 1997-2009. His 11th-inning home run off Boston’s Tim Wakefield won Game 7 of the 2003 AL Championship Series for the Yankees. He has been an analyst for ESPN since his retirement as a player.

His father, Bob, managed Kansas City from 1995-97 and Cincinnati from 2001-03.

MLB hands out 5 minor league drug bans

NEW YORK » Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Angel Nesbitt is among five players who have been suspended for violations of the minor league drug program.

The penalties were announced Friday by the commissioner’s office. Three players from the Toronto Blue Jays were suspended.

Nesbitt was banned 50 games for testing positive for the stimulant Heptaminol. The 26-yearold right-hander is a free agent.

Nesbitt played one season in the majors, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 24 relief appearances for the Tigers in 2015. He spent last season in Detroit’s minor league system, going a combined 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA at three levels.

Houston right-hander Carlos Pimentel was suspended 56 games after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance. He is on the roster rookie-level Gulf League Astros.

Toronto shortstop Hugo Cardona, infielder Yhon Perez and catcher Leonicio Ventura were penalized 72 games after positive tests for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing of the Coast substance. They are on the roster of the rookie-level Dominican Summer League Blue Jays.

There have been 74 suspensions under the minor league drug program this year and five under the major league program.