I was listening to ESPN radio here in Florida on my way back from the D-Rays vs. Sox two Sundays ago, and they had the president of the IL and Tampa's GM on the phone as they discussed this very issue. Apparently, there is reciprocity in the minor leagues, meaning a suspension in the IL will be observed in the EL, Carolina League, SAL, GCL, etc., etc. The only way to get around it is to send him to Tampa since there is no agreement between the minor leagues and MLB (the player's union is to blame for this). If he were sent up and MLB observed the suspension, he could file a grievance with the union.