Three Strikes and He’s Out! Jenrry Mejia Banned From MLB
13 Feb, 2016
Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been permanently suspended by Major League Baseball after testing positive again for a performance-enhancing substance. This is Mejia’s third positive PED test in the past year and marks the first time in MLB history a player has been permanently suspended.
MLB officials confirm Mejia tested positive for boldenone and further explains that Mejia is also permanently suspended from playing minor league baseball.
The 26-year-old does have the right to apply for reinstatement with commissioner Rob Manfred in one year. If reinstated, he would have to sit out a minimum of two years before being able to pitch again in the majors.
MLB suspensions are honored by affiliated leagues in other countries, such as in Japan, South Korea and Mexico. However, suspended players are allowed to compete in winter leagues, such as in Mejia’s native Dominican Republic. Independent leagues are not compelled to honor MLB suspensions but may choose to do so.
Mejia becomes the first major or minor league player to receive a permanent suspension under MLB’s drug program. Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was suspended multiple times between 2003 and 2005 for positive drug tests, but none of his suspensions were deemed “permanent.”
“We were deeply disappointed to hear that Jenrry has again violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Mets said Friday in a statement. “We fully support MLB’s policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport. As per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension.”
Mejia originally was handed an 80-game suspension in April for a positive test for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. In July, three weeks and seven appearances into his return with the Mets, he was suspended 162 games for testing positive for both stanozolol and boldenone. The second positive test actually occurred while Mejia was still serving the first suspension.
The Mets nonetheless decided to tender Mejia a contract in December for the 2016 season. Mets officials reasoned that despite Mejia letting down the team, he was worth bringing back to the organization because he would receive only a prorated portion of his salary — less than $1 million — and be eligible for the postseason.
Mejia had 99 games left to serve on his second suspension and had been due to return to the Mets in late July.
AP
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