Latest Update:
Jenrry Mejia told Dominican Republic reporter Hector Gomez the following tonight, in reaction to the lifetime ban by MLB.
“I will appeal (the lifetime ban) win or lose, and I have a lot of faith. I have to clear my name. I will not stand by with my arms crossed and fully intend to take this case to the bitter end.”
“It is not how they (MLB) say, I am very certain that I did not use any steroids.”
Original Report
Former Mets closer Jenrry Mejia has been permanently suspended by Major League Baseball after testing positive a third time for PED’s.
Mejia, 26, was a former top prospect for the Mets, and originally made his MLB debut in 2010 at the age of 20.
However, it wasn’t until 2014 where Mejia made a name for himself, going 6-6 with a 3.65 ERA, and saving 28 games for the Amazins.
He became a beloved figure among fans due to his fiery and energetic presence on the mound, and his signature stomp after closing out games.
Fast forward to 2015, and Mejia was slapped with suspensions on two different occasions for testing positive for both Stanozolol and Boldenone, the same substance in which he was just suspended for again today.
Mejia was slated to return in July, and even agreed to a $2.47 million salary for the 2016 season to avoid arbitration.
He will become the first player in MLB history to be banned from baseball for violating the “three strikes and you’re out” PED policy.
According to Adam Rubin via Twitter, Mejia will seek reinstatement, but would have to wait one year to ask and serve a two-year suspension on top of that.
Additionally, Rubin notes that 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 Jenrry Mejia’s native Dominican Republic.
This is ridiculous. Jenrry Mejia, you should be ashamed of yourself. Three suspensions for PED’s? You didn’t learn your lesson the first two times? Even that in itself is bad!
I have no words. I am fuming. If you get caught using a banned substance on three separate occasions, you deserve to be permanently suspended. Enough said.
