Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia 1st to draw lifetime drug ban

FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, file photo, New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia tosses the ball to throw out Colorado Rockies' Josh Rutledge at first base to end a baseball game in New York. Mejia became the first player to receive a lifetime ban under baseball's drug agreement testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the third time. Mejia tested positive for Boldenone, the commissioner's office said Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File) FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, file photo, New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia tosses the ball to throw out Colorado Rockies' Josh Rutledge at first base to end a baseball game in New York. Mejia became the first player to receive a lifetime ban under baseball's drug agreement testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the third time. Mejia tested positive for Boldenone, the commissioner's office said Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

By Associated Press February 12, 2016 3 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia became the first player to receive a lifetime ban under Major League Baseball’s drug agreement after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the third time.

The commissioner’s office said Friday that Mejia tested positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone, which athletes have used to increase muscle mass and once was popular for use in horse racing.

The 26-year-old right-hander was the Mets’ closer in 2014, then was suspended for 80 games last April 11 following a positive test for Stanozolol, a drug popular among bodybuilders. At the time, he said, “I can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system.”

Mejia returned July 12, appeared in seven games for New York, then was banned for 162 games on July 28 after a positive test for Stanozolol and Boldenone.

The Mets said they “were deeply disappointed.” The Major League Baseball Players Association declined comment, and a spokesman for Mejia’s agents said the pitcher had no comment.