Jul 6, 2018 3 min read

New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia has been granted conditional reinstatement from his lifetime drug suspension and could return for the 2019 season.

Mejia became the first player suspended for life under Major League Baseball’s drug program in February 2016 following his third positive test for a banned steroid. He was allowed to apply for reinstatement one year later.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday that Mejia may participate in nonpublic workouts in the team’s facilities after the All-Star break and will be eligible for a minor league rehabilitation assignment in mid-August. If he meets specified conditions, he would be eligible to resume all baseball activities when spring training starts in February.

Manfred met with Mejia last year, after the application for reinstatement was submitted.

“Mr. Mejia expressed regret for poor choices he made in the past and assured me that, if reinstated, he would adhere to the terms of the (drug) program going forward,” Manfred said in a statement. “In light of Mr. Mejia’s contrition, his commitment to comply with the program in the future, and the fact that he will have already spent almost four consecutive years suspended without pay, I have decided to grant Mr. Mejia a final chance to resume his professional career.”

A right-hander who turns 29 in October, Mejia was the Mets’ closer in 2014, then was suspended for 80 games in April 2015 following a positive test for Stanozolol, a drug popular among bodybuilders. At the time, he said, “I can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system.”

Mejia returned July 12, appeared in seven games for New York, then was banned for 162 games in July after a positive test for Stanozolol and Boldenone. The third suspension was for a positive test for Boldenone.

“I’ve had a long, difficult time away from the game to contemplate the mistakes I’ve made both with regard to my positive drug tests and also the false allegations I made about Major League Baseball’s investigation into my testing history,” Mejia said in a statement issued through the players’ association. “Baseball is my profession, my passion and my life, and for those mistakes I am truly sorry.”

Cincinnati 3, Chicago Cubs 2: Tyler Mahle tossed one-run ball into the seventh inning and the Cincinnati Reds edged the Cubs 3-2 on Friday for their fifth straight victory over Chicago.

Adam Duvall and Scooter Gennett drove in runs as the Reds won for the 14th time in 18 games and ended the Cubs’ six-game winning streak. Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati’s No. 9 hitter, had three hits and leadoff man Jose Peraza had two.

Detroit 3, Texas 1: Jordan Zimmermann denied Bartolo Colon’s bid at baseball history, striking out 11 batters in eight innings as the Detroit Tigers beat the Texas Rangers 3-1.

Colon was trying to become the winningest Latin-American pitcher in major league history. He remains tied with Dennis Martinez with 245 career victories.

Toronto 6, N.Y. Yankees 2: Justin Smoak hit a three-run homer, Yangervis Solarte reached base four times and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 6-2.

Smoak connected in Toronto’s five-run second inning, when the Blue Jays batted around and put an early end to struggling right-hander Sonny Gray’s latest outing.