Mets’ Jenrry Mejia suspended 162 games for 2nd failed PED test

In a shocking turn of events, Jenrry Mejia has been suspended 162 games by Major League Baseball for failing his second test for performance-enhancing drugs.

This is the second time the former closer has been suspended for testing positive for stanozolol. Back in April, Mejia was suspended for the first 80 games this season and just made his return back to the bullpen on July 12.

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In his seven appearances this season, Mejia was effective, pitching 7 1/3 innings, striking out seven batters, and walking only two. He didn’t allow any runs and was gearing up to be the setup man for Jeurys Familia during the latter part of the season.

On Monday, the Mets bolstered the bullpen by acquiring Tyler Clippard from the Oakland Athletics. With this move, Mejia was expected to slide to the 7th inning role, which would allow Clippard to be the new setup pitcher, giving the Mets a formidable 7-8-9 end of the bullpen.

However, the suspension halted this plan and instead the Mets will continue to use a combination of Bobby Parnell/Hansel Robles/Sean Gilmartin in the 7th inning role to bridge the gap between Clippard and Familia.

It’s uncertain what Mejia’s role is with the organization, but many speculate that he’ll probably never sport the orange and blue ever again.

Thoughts from Danny Abriano:

This is a shame for two reasons.

For one, Mejia, at just 25 years old, has sabotaged his career and has likely pitched in his last game for the Mets.

Second, instead of the Mets now having two solid setup options with Mejia and Clippard, they’re now right back to where they were before they swung Monday’s trade. Before his second suspension, Mejia was ineligible for the postseason, so the addition of Clippard will at least pay huge dividends should the Mets reach the playoffs.

I’ve been a huge fan of Mejia ever since he first burst on the scene in 2010, and to see his Mets career likely come to an end this way is incredibly disappointing. But no one should feel bad for someone who has no one to blame but himself.