New York Mets: Jenrry Mejia Returns from Lifetime Ban
By Dylan Smith
Formally banned for life, New York Mets reliever, Jenrry Mejia, was recently reinstated. On Thursday, Mejia made his first affiliated pitching appearance since 2015.
On February 16, 2016, New York Mets reliever, Jenrry Mejia, was banned for life from Major League Baseball as a result of three violations of baseballs joint drug agreement. On July 6, Mejia was reinstated and his lifetime ban was lifted. August 16 marks the righties return to professional baseball.
In an appearance for the DSL Mets, Mejia threw four scoreless innings and struck out three batters. Mejia is currently on the Mets’ roster but remains on the restricted list.
Per Metsblog.com, the Mets released a statement regarding Mejia’s return.
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“Jenrry Mejia has abided by the terms set forth by Commissioner Manfred and we appreciate his regret and renewed commitment to comply moving forward, we will evaluate his progress on the field and assess the situation and our options in the coming months.”
Mejia has been rehabbing with the Mets since the All-Star break. It is very unlikely that we will see him in Queens in 2018, but he could see Mejia make his Major League “redebut” in 2019.
Jenrry Mejia sounded regretful and apologetic in a statement that he released following his reinstatement last month.
“I’ve had a long, difficult time away from the game to contemplate the mistakes I’ve made both with regard to my positive drug tests and also the false allegations I made about Major League Baseball’s investigation into my testing history. Baseball is my profession, my passion and my life, and for those mistakes I am truly sorry. … I have much work ahead, but look forward to earning back the trust and respect of the New York Mets, the fans and especially my teammates.”
Mejia signed a one year deal worth $1.7 million in the offseason, but he will not receive any of that money as he will not be accruing service time.
Over five seasons with the Mets, Mejia proved to be a serviceable arm. In 113 games and 18 starts, Mejia is 9-14 with an ERA of 3.68 and a WHIP of 1.48. The reliever also saved 28 games for the Amazins’ in 2014.
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Going forward, it will be interesting to see if Mejia’s talent was natural or brought on by steroids. The embattled arm was once considered a top prospect in the Mets system, it will certainly be interesting to see if he ever makes it back to the Major Leagues.