New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia became the first player to be permanently suspended from Major League Baseball on Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the third time, according to ESPN's Adam Rubin.
It's the third positive test for Mejia in the past year, and the MLB has stated that he tested positive for boldenone, which increases muscle mass and was once popular in the sport of horse racing, according to Rubin.
The 26-year-old pitcher can apply for reinstatement after a year, but even if MLB commissioner Rob Manfred allows reinstatement, he would have to sit out at least two years before being allowed to pitch in the majors again.
The Mets organization released the following statement regarding Mejia's suspension: "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 towards eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport. As per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension."
The Mets have arguably one of the best pitching rotations in baseball, but their bullpen has now permanently lost a key piece. Mejia started the 2015 season as the Mets closer, but Jeurys Familia stepped up as the Mets closer after Mejia was suspended for his prior positived tests. Familia developed into a dominant closer during the 2015 season. Familia made history in the World Series with three blown saves, but he cannot take all the responsibility, as defensive miscues from Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda were major factors in those losses.
The Mets have also signed left-handers Antonio Bastardo and Jerry Blevins this winter, and both will look to help the bullpen in 2016. Familia will look to be the Mets' lead closer in 2016, and New York will try to win the NL East division for the second consecutive year behind great pitching.
