Major League Baseball has lifted the lifetime ban on Jenrry Mejia, and the right-handed reliever will be eligible to pitch in the 2019 season upon conditional reinstatement, according to a statement from commissioner Rob Manfred.
Mejia was handed a lifetime ban prior to the 2016 season for a third positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. The conditional reinstatement is based on "certain conditions established by the Office of the Commissioner and agreed to by Mejia and the Players Association," per the release.
The 28-year-old Mejia last pitched for the New York Mets in 2015, who have retained his rights during his time out of baseball. While he won't be eligible to return to the roster until next season, he has been cleared to work out with the team following the All-Star break.
Mejia issued a statement through Major League Baseball's Players Association in which he apologized and thanked the commissioner for his reinstatement.
The Major League Baseball Players Association is releasing the following statement on behalf of Jenrry Mejía: pic.twitter.com/1bcFCQ458H
— MLBPA (@MLBPA_News) July 6, 2018
In five seasons with the Mets, Mejia posted a 3.68 ERA and 3.83 FIP over 183 1/3 innings. In 2014, Mejia began the year as a starter before serving as the team's primary closer and notching 28 saves.
The Mets issued the following statement regarding the news:
#Mets statement on Jenrry Mejia. pic.twitter.com/ydpc0TzOIF
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 6, 2018
