Jenrry Mejia Suspended for 162 Games

www.baseballessential.com

Wow, I mean what can you say? Jenrry Mejia tested positive for Stanozol and Boldenone. Again.

Mejia served an 80 game suspension for using Stanozol earlier this year. In fact, Mejia tested positive shortly after injuring his elbow in a warm up session prior to the season opener, so he has only played a little this year.

Mejia struggled while coming up through the Mets’ minor league affiliates but won the fifth starter role at the start of the 2014 season. After struggling in the starter role and following the departure of Kyle Farnsworth, Mejia found some success as a closer. However, 2015 has shown Mejia’s true colors as he has been caught cheating for a second time. One wood think he understood.

Mejia’s apparent understanding is severely lacking as indicated by his positive steroid test. The Mets released this statement – “We were extremely disappointed when informed of Jenrry’s second suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the team said. “We fully support MLB’s policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport.”

Whether Mejia felt the steroids were needed to get back on the mound faster or improve his average performance is irrelevant; using steroids is cheating and bad for baseball.

Is the steroid era really a thing of the past? Certainly, the culture of steroids in baseball has changed. If you believe Jose Canseco, the ‘needles everywhere’ image is a thing of the past. MLB has certainly kicked the discipline into high gear, and is sending a clear message – ‘you use, your gone’.

The Mets’ had found a hot streak following the 80 game suspension in April. The addition of Tyler Clippard could assist them in flaring up again. The former Oakland A’s closer has 37 appearances so far this season. Clippard has recorded a 2.79 ERA and 1.19 WHIP while striking out 38 batters and walking 21.

One has to wonder if the Mets knew that the Mejia test was positive. If so, Clippard isn’t just a good pick up but also a defensive move against the loss of Mejia well into next year.

Given the acrimony in the statements the Mets have released, Mejia’s return to the struggling team may be doubtful.