Mets pitcher Mejia reinstated

New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia, the first player issued a lifetime doping ban by Major League Baseball, will be eligible to return in 2019, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday.Manfred said that provided he meets certain conditions the 28-year-old Dominican will get “a final chance” at a major league career.“Under the terms of our collectively bargained Joint Drug Programme, a permanently suspended player like Mejia has the right to apply to me for discretionary reinstatement after serving a minimum of two years,” Manfred said, adding that after Mejia applied for reinstatement last year they met in person.“In light of Mejia's contrition, his commitment to comply with the programme in the future, and the fact that he will have already spent almost four consecutive years suspended without pay, I have decided to grant him a final chance to resume his professional career,” Manfred said.Mejia's permanent ban followed an 80-game suspension handed down on 11 April 2015, after a positive test for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.In July 2015 he was suspended 162 games for using stanozolol and the steroid boldenone.Shortly after his permanent ban was announced, Mejia told the New York Times he was the victim of a conspiracy, saying the second positive result wasn't accurate and that after it was announced MLB officials pressured him to share information about his doping connections.Mejia sounded a more contrite tone in a statement issued through the Players' Association on Friday.“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,” Mejia said.“Baseball is my profession, my passion and my life, and for those mistakes I am truly sorry.”MLB said Mejia will be allowed to resume participation in non-public workouts at Mets facilities following the 2018 All-Star break.He will be eligible for a rehabilitation assignment with a Mets minor league affiliate in mid-August and could be reinstated and eligible to resume all baseball activities beginning with 2019 spring training.“Jenrry Mejia has abided by the terms set forth by Commissioner Manfred and we appreciate his regret and renewed commitment to comply moving forward,” the Mets said in a statement. “We will evaluate his progress on the field and assess the situation and our options in the coming months.”NAMPA/AFP

Mets pitcher Mejia reinstated

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-21

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Mets pitcher Mejia reinstated

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-21

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