Jenrry Mejia (58) is out of baseball for good now. Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia became the first major-league player to receive a permanent suspension for using performance-enhancing substances when Major League Baseball announced the lifetime ban on Friday.
Mejia tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid, his third positive PED test in less than one year, which under league rules calls for a permanent ban.
Mejia, 26, is also prohibited from playing minor-league baseball and with concurrent pro leagues in other countries, including Japan, South Korea and Mexico. Independent leagues and winter leagues can choose whether to enforce MLB suspensions, including Mejia’s winter league team in the Dominican Republic.
Under the PED testing rules, Mejia can apply for reinstatement in one year to commissioner Rob Manfred. Rules mandate he must sit out a minimum of two seasons before he could be reinstated to pitch in the majors.
“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 via 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 tested positive for Stanozolol — another anabolic steroid — last April and was suspended for 80 games. Three weeks after he returned, he tested positive for both Stanozolol and Boldenone, and was suspended for 162 games.
He had 99 games remaining to serve on the latter suspension and was slated to be reinstated in late July.
The Mets tendered Mejia a contract for the 2016 despite his situation. He agreed to a one-year $2.47 million deal and his salary was to be prorated due to the second suspension.
Mejia first reached the majors with the Mets in 2010. His best season was in 2014 when he went 6-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 28 saves.
