Mets’ Jenrry Mejia permanently suspended by MLB

New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been permanently suspended by MLB after failing a third test for performance-enhancing drugs.

New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been permanently suspended by Major League Baseball for his third performance-enhancing substance violation, the league announced Friday.

Mejia, 26, tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid, according to the announcement. The former closer had previously been suspended 80 games last April for Stanozolol use and was then suspended 162 games last July for using Stanozolol and Boldenone.

Mejia is the first player in MLB history to be suspended permanently for steroid use. A lifetime ban for three positive steroid tests was instituted by MLB in 2013.

The Mets named Mejia their closer in 2014, but he lost the job after his first suspension. Mejia pitched for the Mets from 2010 to '15, spending part of the period in the minor leagues and recovering from Tommy John surgery. In five seasons with the Mets, he posted a 3.68 ERA and 28 saves in 183 1/3 innings.

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Mejia can apply for reinstatement in one year, but he must sit out a minimum of two years even if the league grants him reinstatement.