Brewers Pitcher Suspended 162 Games

Well, looks like someone couldn't get off the juice, as Milwaukee Brewers pitcher J.C. Mejia has been suspended for 162 games after a second PED violation. Mejia, who was traded to the Brewers after the 2021 season, was also suspended 80 games during the 2022 season.

The 27-year-old made nine appearances with the Brewers in 2023, including his season debut against the Chicago Cubs on July 5. Mejia last pitched against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 13, before he landed on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder. Mejia had already been shut down for the rest of the 2023 season on Sept. 11, when the Brewers transferred him to the 60-day injured list.

Via ESPN.

Mejia tested positive for stanozolol, according to a release from the league. He's the first player suspended under the major league drug agreement this season.

"The Milwaukee Brewers fully support MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and share in the goal of eliminating performance-enhancing substances from our game," Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said in a statement.

In 2022, Mejia's first suspension also came after he tested positive for stanozolol, a synthetic steroid derived from testosterone.

Mejia, who made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians and made 17 appearances with them in 2021, has not had much success in the big leagues. The right-handed pitcher has a career 8.32 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 66 MLB innings between Cleveland and Milwaukee. In 2023, Mejia posted a 5.56 ERA and 1.59 WHIP, with 13 strikeouts and three walks in 11.1 innings.

The Guardians originally signed Mejia as an international free agent in 2013 out of the Dominican Republic. The 27-year-old has spent most of his pro career in the minor leagues, logging 361 innings with the Guardians and Brewers farm systems since 2014.

Mejia's first PED suspension came on May 17, 2022, and in the offseason the Brewers brought him back, signing the pitcher to a minor league contract. Prior to Mejia's call up in July against the Cubs, he was having a solid season at Triple-A, posting a 3.86 ERA in 30.1 innings, striking out 32 batters in 23 relief appearances.