Mejia granted conditional reinstatement for 2019 season
Major League Baseball announced today that Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. has ruled on New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia's application for reinstatement from his permanent suspension under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program (announced on February 12, 2016). Mejia will be allowed to resume participation in non-public workouts at Mets' facilities following the 2018 All-Star break and will be eligible for a rehabilitation assignment with a Mets' affiliate in mid-August. Provided that Mejia complies with certain conditions established by the Office of the Commissioner and agreed to by Mejia and the Players Association, Mejia will be reinstated from the Restricted List and will be eligible to resume all baseball activities beginning with 2019 Spring Training.
Commissioner Manfred issued the following statement regarding Mejia's conditional reinstatement:
"Under the terms of our collectively bargained Joint Drug Program, a permanently suspended player like Mr. Mejia has the right to apply to me for discretionary reinstatement after serving a minimum of two years. Upon receiving Mr. Mejia's application for reinstatement last year, I invited him to New York to meet with me. During our meeting, Mr. Mejia expressed regret for poor choices he made in the past and assured me that, if reinstated, he would adhere to the terms of the Program going forward. In light of Mr. Mejia's contrition, his commitment to comply with the Program in the future, and the fact that he will have already spent almost four consecutive years suspended without pay, I have decided to grant Mr. Mejia a final chance to resume his professional career."