Skip to content

Mejia, banned for life from MLB, pitching in Dominican league

Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports

Jenrry Mejia, the ill-reputed former New York Mets reliever who was permanently banned from MLB after testing positive three times for performance enhancing drugs, has reappeared in a Dominican Winter League after months of inactivity.

Despite his ban, Mejia's suspension doesn't restrict him from winter league teams, according to ESPN's Adam Rubin. Mejia made a relief appearance Friday, pitching a scoreless inning while earning the win for Licey.

Mejia's first chance to apply for reinstatement comes in February, but even if his appeal is approved, he'll have to sit out the 2017 season to adhere to the rules of a lifetime ban, Rubin notes.

The 27-year-old is only the second player in history to fail three drug tests, the other being former infielder Neifi Perez, and is the first player to receive a permanent ban from baseball.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox