New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia is going to attempt to get out of this lifetime ban from the MLB.
Earlier Friday it was announced that New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs for a third time in 10 months. Given that this is his third offense, he has been handed a lifetime ban from MLB. It is the first time a player has been suspended for life since Pete Rose was banned for gambling on baseball in the late 1980’s.
The situation is an embarrassing one for the Mets and Mejia, who hasn’t been able to stay out of trouble. It’s providing the team with unnecessary bad public relations due to the ignorant use of steroids by their former closer.
Well, Mejia is going to try to work his way out of this lifetime ban.
ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin noted on Twitter that Mejia told Dominican sports journalist that he’s going to appeal this suspension.
Jenrry Mejia told Dominican sports journalist Hector Gomez in Spanish: "I'm going to appeal. Lose or win, I have... https://t.co/mqJKu7Yr4U
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) February 13, 2016
Jenrry Mejia added to Dominican sports journalist Hector Gomez in Spanish: "It is not like they say. I am sure... https://t.co/7JH4y0xfFd
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) February 13, 2016
Unless something went wrong with the tests that Mejia underwent, it would be surprising to see MLB go back on their lifetime ban. Having the 26-year-old test positive not once, not twice, but three times is a bad look for a league that has been cleaning up its image since the Mitchell Report came out in 2007 that listed a few dozen players that were connected to steroids. It gave the sport of baseball the perception that everyone was taking PEDs.
It will be interesting to see what the decision will be from the MLB if they consider adjusting the suspension.