Mets Pitcher Jenrry Mejia Conditionally Reinstated by MLB after Lifetime Ban

Jenrry Mejia. Photo by REX/Shutterstock

New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia will get a chance to play in Major League Baseball again after all. Mejia received a lifetime ban from MLB back in 2016, after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs for the third time. This was the first time one player received such punishment since the sanctions were established. Now MLB decided to give him another chance, and grant him conditional reinstatement.

I’ve had a long, difficult time away from the game to contemplate the mistakes I’ve made both with regard to my positive drug tests and also the false allegations I made about Major League Baseball’s investigation into my testing history,” – said Mejia following his reinstatement. “Baseball is my profession, my passion, and my life, and for those mistakes, I am truly sorry.”

Mejia will be able to take part in non-public Mets’ workouts after 2018 All-Star break and resume all baseball activities in 2019 season.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement following this decision in which he said that Mejia “expressed regret for poor choices he made in the past.”

In light of Mr. Mejia’s contrition, his commitment to comply with the Program in the future, and the fact that he will have already spent almost four consecutive years suspended without pay, I have decided to grant Mr. Mejia a final chance to resume his professional career.” – Manfred concluded the statement.

New York Mets also issued a statement of their own, saying that the organization will assess Mejia’s situation in the following months.

Jenrry Mejia has abided by the terms set forth by Commissioner Manfred and we appreciate his regret and renewed commitment to comply moving forward. We will evaluate his progress on the field and assess the situation and our options in the coming months.” – said Mets in a statement.

Jenrry Mejia started his MLB career in 2010 when he was named into Mets’ opening day roster as a relief pitcher. After a few years in which he had multiple assignments with team’s minor league affiliates, Mejia secured the job as Mets’ closer in 2014. Next year, however, he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs twice and received 80 games suspension in April, and then 162 games suspension in July. In February 2018, Mejia tested positive for the third time and received an automatic ban for life.

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