MLB Announces Partnership With Latin American Trainers to Combat PED Use

The program will begin in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Major League Baseball announced a partnership Thursday with Latin American trainers aimed at combatting performance-enhancing drug use by amateur players.

MLB released a statement introducing the Trainer Partnership Program, where trainers will voluntarily enroll their players in the league's drug testing program.

"Under the new initiative, participating trainers will enroll their players in MLB's drug testing program, submit themselves and their employees to background checks, keep updated records of amateur players in their care, and comply with MLB rules regarding international player signings. MLB will provide further trainers with enhanced scouting opportunities and promote the use of partner trainers to players and their families. MLB also will work closely with partner trainers to jointly address issues in Latin American amateur baseball."

MLB announced today the Trainer Partnership Program, a new program in collaboration with Latin American player trainers aimed at combatting the use of performance-enhancing substances by amateur players and improving compliance with MLB rules. pic.twitter.com/6xDpQaKiqt

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) August 30, 2018

The pilot programs will begin in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. 46 trainers that "came highly recommended by MLB clubs" have already agreed to participate.

Drug testing for the program began this week. MLB will hold a showcase as part of the program on Sept. 18-20 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, where clubs from the league are expected to attend.