Mets Closer Jenrry Mejia Suspended 80 Games After Positive PED Test

ATLANTA — New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.

MLB announced the punishment Saturday. This is the fourth penalty for a positive Stanozolol test reported by MLB in less than a month, following Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana, Seattle Mariners pitcher David Rollins and Atlanta Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino.

Mejia began the season as New York’s closer, but he was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with posterior elbow inflammation. He saved 28 games for the club in 2014.

Mejia released a statement through the team saying that he knows the rules and accepts his punishment but “can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system.”

Thumbnail photo via Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports Images