New York Mets News: Jenrry Mejia Receives Lifetime Ban

New York Mets News: Former closer Jenrry Mejia has received a permanent ban from MLB for failing a third PED test.

The New York Mets were a part of history on Friday, but not something they want to be a part of. With so many positives occurring during the 2015 season, one of the negatives had to be Jenrry Mejia. The Mets’ expected closer going into the season didn’t even make it through the first game of the season without getting injured, landing on the DL almost immediately.

That was only the start of the problems for Mejia, who would then fail a PED test, testing positive for stanozolol, which is an anabolic steroid. He received an 80-game ban for that, but must not have learned his lesson. After returning the team for only three weeks and making seven more appearances, Mejia once again failed a PED test, resulting in a 162-game ban. On the second test, Mejia tested positive for stanozolol and boldenone.

The Mets stood behind their embattled former closer though, saying he was still a part of their plans for this season. But, he no longer will be a part of anything in the near future with the Mets or any baseball team for that matter, as Mejia failed a third test, resulting in a permanent suspension from MLB; once again Mejia reportedly tested positive for boldenone.

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This makes Mejia the first player to be suspended by Major League Baseball permanently under their three strikes current format. He is also banned from playing in the minor leagues, and international leagues in Japan, South Korea and Mexico also honor MLB suspensions, which means Mejia will find it extremely tough to play professional baseball in the near future.

Suspended players are allowed to play in Winter Leagues though, which is where Mejia has been pitching for Licey while serving his 162-game suspension. Through sports journalist Hector Gomez, Mejia told him in Spanish, “It is not like they say. I am sure that I did not use anything.”

We will certainly see about that, as Mejia has a chance to appeal the suspension, but has to wait one year to do so. At that point, if commissioner Rob Manfred decides to lift the ban, Mejia would still have to sit out two more years before being able to get back on the field. Mejia would still only be 29 at that time, but he would bring a lot of baggage with him to any organization that decided to take a chance on him.

The Mets released a statement about the Mejia situation Friday, saying, “We were deeply disappointed to hear that Jenrry has again violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. 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.”

The Mets were hoping to get Mejia back to their bullpen this season in late July, as he had 99 games left on his 162-game ban and would have been eligible for the postseason. That will no longer happen, as the Mets could be in the market for another reliever now to replace the depth Mejia will be leaving.

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