MLB bans Mets’ Mejia for life
New York Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia became the first player to receive a lifetime ban under Major League Baseball’s drug agreement after testing positive for a performanceenhancing substance for the third time.
The commissioner’s office said Friday that Mejia tested positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone, which athletes have used to increase muscle mass and once was popular for use in horse racing.
The 26- year- old right- hander was the Mets’ closer in 2014, then was suspended for 80 games April 11 after 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 the Mets, then was banned for 162 games July 28 after a positive test for Stanozolol and Boldenone.
The Cubs claimed left- hander C. J. Riefenhauser off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and designated lefty Edgar Olmos for assignment. Riefenhauser, 26, has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, going 1- 0 with a 6.30 ERA in 24 appearances. He had a 2.86 ERA in 29 appearances for Class AAA Durham in 2015, striking out 34 batters in 34⅔ innings while walking seven.
The New York Yankees avoided arbitration with closer Aroldis Chapman by signing him to a oneyear, $ 11.325 million contract.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded power- hitting outfielder Khris Davis to the Oakland Athletics for a pair of prospects: catcher Jacob Nottingham and right- handed pitcher Bubba Derby.
The Cleveland Indians signed pitcher Tommy Hunter to a oneyear deal worth a reported $ 2 million deal. Hunter, 29, appeared in 19 games for the Cubs after being acquired from the Orioles on July 31 for Junior Lake.
Los Angeles Dodgers righthander Frankie Montas will be out two to four months after having rib resection surgery.
NFL
Packers bring back Guion
The Green Bay Packers resigned defensive tackle Letroy Guion to a reported three- year, $ 11.25 million contract, a move that could impact the return of fellow lineman and free agent B. J. Raji.
The Miami Dolphins terminated the contracts of defensive end Quinton Coples and cornerback Brice McCain, saving the team about $ 10million in salary- cap space.
Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib was fined a total of $ 26,044 for taunting and facemask penalties in Super Bowl 50.
MISCELLANEOUS
Crowded leaderboard at AT& T
Sung Kang of South Korea had to scramble for par on the last hole to set the course record at Monterey Peninsula with an 11- under 60 at the AT& T Pebble Beach Pro- Am. His two- day total of 131 earned him a share of the lead with Hiroshi Iwata. Phil Mickelson, Freddie Jacobson and Chez Reavie are one stroke back.
Louisville coach Rick Pitino said he won’t bring back injured junior forward Mangok Mathiang now that the No. 13 Cardinals are ineligible for the postseason.
Auburn point guard Kareem Canty left the team and is turning pro.