(CN) - Major League Baseball on Friday permanently suspended New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the third time.
The unprecedented move under the league's doping program comes just days before pitchers and catchers will report to spring training facilities in Florida and Arizona.
Mejia, a right-handed relief pitcher, was suspended for 80 games last April after testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol. He was later suspended for a full season of 162 games after testing positive for both stanozolol and boldenone, which is also a steroid.
Despite his problems, the Mets extended his contract for the 2016 season.
On Friday, the team was told Mejia against tested positive for boldenone, and that he would be suspended for life.
In a statement the team said it was deeply disappointed in the pitcher, but fully supported the league's decision and its policy of trying to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from the sport.
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