New York Mets baseball player Jenrry Mejia has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for banned substance stanozolol.
The 25-year-old, who will not be paid during his suspension, will be ineligible for the Major League playoffs should his team qualify as he is not permitted to play again until July.
After the ban was confirmed, Mejia released a statement via the MLB Players Association denying that he knowingly took the anabolic steroid.
"I know the rules are the rules and I will accept my punishment, but I can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system," said the pitcher. "I have been through a lot in my young career and missed time due to injury.
"I have worked way too hard to come back and get to where I am, so I would never knowingly put anything in my body that I thought could hold me out further. I am sorry to the Mets organization, my teammates and the fans, as well as my family."
Mejia is the fourth Major League player to test positive for stanozol this year.
Danielle Joynson
