Ex-Met Mejia closes in on return

The Mets’ bullpen could get some unexpected help in 2019 from a former closer.

Major League Baseball conditionally reinstated Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia, the league announced Friday. The righty was suspended indefinitely in February 2016 for violating MLB’s drug policy.

“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. “Baseball is my profession, my passion and my life, and for those mistakes I am truly sorry. ... I have much work ahead, but look forward to earning back the trust and respect of the New York Mets, the fans and especially my teammates.”

Mejia will be allowed to resume participation in non-public workouts at the Mets’ facilities after the upcoming AllStar break and will be eligible for a rehabilitation assignment with a Mets’ minor league team in mid-August. If he complies with his agreement with MLB, Mejia will be taken off the Restricted List and be eligible to participate in 2019 spring training.

The 28-year-old Mejia signed a one-year, $1.7million deal with the Mets prior to this season, but will not be paid because he has not accrued enough service time. He was banned in 2016 after three violations of MLB’s joint drug prevention and treatment program. Mejia went 9-14 with a 3.68 ERA and 28 saves in 183 ¹/3 innings with the Mets over five seasons from 2010-15. The Mets left the door open for his return to the club in 2019.