Mets' Jenrry Mejia claims lifetime ban is MLB conspiracy

New York Mets relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia claimed on March 4 that his lifetime ban from baseball was a result of a witch hunt by MLB that conspired to bring him down. He also said that the players union didn’t advocate properly on his behalf.

As we previously reported, Mejia was banned from MLB for life last month after testing positive for PEDs for a third time in the past year. He is the first player in MLB history to be banned for life for PED use.

Mejia said that he was guilty of the first doping offense, but claimed the second positive test was inaccurate. After the second test, he was pressured by MLB officials to share his doping connections. Mejia said that officials said that if he appealed the punishment for the second test, then they would find a way for a third positive, according to the New York Times.

League spokesman Pat Courtney said the no one at MLB has met with Mejia regarding the drug violations. Mejia had asked the players union for help but they told him that there were no grounds for an appeal.

“I felt there was a conspiracy against me,” Mejia told the Times. "I feel that they were trying to find something to bring me down in my career. The association should have done more, should have been there to defend me — because that’s what they’re there for. They should have found something to appeal for. I wouldn’t change a thing. If the situation was meant to happen, then it was meant to happen. If God wanted it that way, it’s going to happen. All you have to do is admit your guilt when you are guilty. And stay positive when you’re not.”

Mejia signed with the Mets in 2007. He made it to the majors in 2010. He is 9-14 with a 3.68 ERA and 28 saves in five seasons with the Mets, according to Fox Sports. He will lose all of his $2.4 million salary for 2016.

Mejia can apply for reinstatement in one year. He would be eligible to play again in 2018 if he is reinstated because the minimum penalty is two years.