MLB had 2 positive tests in past year for banned stimulants
NEW YORK (AP) - Two major leaguers had positive tests for banned stimulants and one for another banned substance, according to the annual report of the sport's drug program administrator.
The players were not identified because of the penalty for first offenses for stimulants and the drug DHEA is six additional urine tests over the next year rather than a suspension.
Dr. Jeffrey M. Anderson's report, released Tuesday, showed there were 111 therapeutic use exemptions given to 40-man roster players to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, down from 113 in the previous year and 119 in the year ending with the 2013 World Series. There were 1,349 players who appeared in big league games this year, including the postseason.
Seven suspensions were issued for performance-enhancing drugs, all previously announced.
Minnesota's Ervin Santana, the New York Mets' Jenrry Mejia, Seattle's David Rollins and Atlanta's Arodys Vizcaino were penalized 80 games each for positive tests for Stanozolol, which is sold under the name Winstrol and is popular with body builders. Mejia was suspended an additional 162 games for separate positive tests for Stanozolol and Boldenone, which increases nitrogen retention.
Atlanta's Andrew McKirahan was suspended for 80 games for a positive test for Ipamorelin, which releases growth hormone. St. Louis' Cody Stanley, who was promoted when rosters expanded in September, was banned 80 games for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, which increases strength.
Of the two positive tests for stimulants, one was for Adderall, which is used to treat ADHD, and one for Phentermine, an appetite suppressant.
No players were suspended for stimulants under the big league program in the 2015 testing year. Baltimore's Troy Patton, San Diego's Cameron Maybin and the Orioles' Chris Davis all served 25-game suspensions for stimulants in the 2014 testing year, and Patton received an additional 80-game ban for a second stimulant offense.
Players are suspended for banned stimulants only starting with a second violation.
Baseball conducted 8,158 drug tests in the year ending with this season's World Series, up from 7,929 during the previous year. This year's total included 528 offseason tests, up from 307, and 1,622 blood tests for human growth hormone, an increase from 1.535.