NEW YORK — MilwaukeePitcher J.C. Mejia was suspended for 80 games on Tuesday following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol, the second Brewers player disciplined this season under Major League Baseball's drug program.
Mejia, a 25-year-old right-hander who was acquired from Cleveland in November. He had a 23.14 ERA in two relief appearances for Milwaukee on May 11th and 14. In nine Triple-A games, he had a 0.84 ERA.
Stanozolol, a synthetic steroid that is derived from testosterone, can be found in the following:
Mejía made his major league debut with the Indians on May 21 last year and went 1-7 with a 8.25 ERA in 11 starts and six relief appearances.
Tuesday's placement on the restricted list means that he will lose approximately half of his salary. His contract says he can earn $701,900 in the major leagues, and $160,800 in the minors.
Milwaukee replaced Mejía by selecting the contract of right-hander Trevor Kelley from Triple-A Nashville.
Mejía and Baltimore pitcher Matt Harvey, who also was suspended on Tuesday, raised to six the number of players suspended this year under the major league drug program.
Brewers catcher Pedro Severino was suspended for 80 games on April 5 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Clomiphene, a women's fertility drug used by some athletes to counter side effects of steroids use.
Following positive Boldenone tests, three free agents were suspended for 80 games. They were outfielder/firstbaseman. Danny Santana, pitcher Richard Rodríguez and infielder José Rondón. These were the first suspensions following the return of the major league drug-testing program to normal operations on March 11, after a 99-day lockout.
