In February 2004, Major League Baseball announced a new drug policy which originally included random, offseason testing and 10-day suspensions for first-time offenders, 30 days for second-time offenders, 60 days for third-time offenders, and one year for fourth-time offenders, all without pay, in an effort to curtail performance-enhancing drug use (PED) in professional baseball. This policy strengthened baseball's pre-existing ban on controlled substances, including steroids, which has been in effect since 1991. The policy was to be reviewed in 2008, but under pressure from the U.S. Congress, on November 15, 2005, players and owners agreed to tougher penalties; a 50-game suspension for a first offense, a 100-game suspension for a second, and a lifetime ban for a third.
In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named baseball's steroid scandal of performance-enhancing drugs as the number one sports story of the decade of the 2000s.Jenkins, Lee "2000s: Top 10 Stories" SI.com, Retrieved December 25, 2009
The current penalties, adopted on March 28, 2014, are 80 games for a first offense, 162 games for a second offense, and a permanent suspension ("lifetime ban") for a third. Players are also ineligible from participating in the post-season the same year they receive a suspension, regardless of when their suspension is completed, unless the penalty is reduced on appeal. Players receiving a permanent suspension would be able apply to the Commissioner of Baseball for reinstatement after one year, which, if granted, can occur not sooner than two years after the suspension started.
Suspended players Players are ordered by the announced date of their suspension, placed in the appropriate table per their MLB experience and roster status at the time they were suspended. Players who are active in professional baseball (not limited to MLB) are listed in italics; players who have retired or have been a free agent for over a year are not considered "active".
+Key^Suspension lasted more than 100 games Major League Baseball All-Star Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Silver Slugger Award winner Gold Glove award winnerP PitcherC Catcher1B First baseman2B Second baseman3B Third basemanSS ShortstopOF OutfielderDH Designated hitterUT Utility player† Player was named in the Mitchell Report (may or may not be related to suspension)Number of times the player was suspended (if more than once)ItalicsCurrently active
Players who were on major league rosters Players listed in this section were active in MLB at the time of their suspension.
PlayerTeamDate announcedDrugPenaltyPositionResponseRef.Tampa Bay Devil RaysOFColorado RockiesOFTexas RangersPSeattle MarinersOFMinnesota TwinsPCleveland IndiansP SS GGBaltimore OriolesStanozololDHSeattle MarinersPSSTexas RangersPNew York MetsPPPTampa Bay Devil RaysP GGDetroit TigersUT GGUT GGSan Diego PadresAmphetamineOFKansas City RoyalsOFBaltimore OriolesOFSan Francisco GiantsCPhiladelphia PhilliesAndrostenedioneP SSLos Angeles DodgersHuman chorionic gonadotropinOFCincinnati RedsPFlorida MarlinsC SSTampa Bay RaysOF Colorado RockiesEliézer Alfonzo's 100-game suspension was reduced due to procedural issues with his test sample.C San Francisco GiantsClenbuterolPPhiladelphia PhilliesClostebolUTSan Francisco GiantsTestosteroneOFOakland AthleticsPSan Diego PadresCPhiladelphia PhilliesAmphetamineC SS MVPMilwaukee BrewersTestosteroneOFTexas RangersThese players were not suspended due to positive tests for specific drugs but due to their implication and involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.OFDetroit TigersSSSan Diego PadresSSPhiladelphia PhilliesPNew York YankeesC SS GG MVP2014 season ^3B SS MVPKansas City RoyalsAmphetamine^UTBaltimore OriolesPSan Diego PadresOFBaltimore OriolesAdderall1BSeattle MarinersStanozololPMinnesota TwinsPNew York MetsPAtlanta BravesIpamorelinP New York MetsBoldenone, Stanozolol^PSt. Louis CardinalsCDMTC New York MetsBoldenone^Jenrry Mejía was reinstated from his permanent suspension in 2018.PCleveland Indians OFPhiladelphia PhilliesCDMTPToronto Blue Jays1B SS GG Miami MarlinsClostebol, Testosterone2BLos Angeles DodgersPralmorelinPKansas City RoyalsClenbuterolAdalberto Mondesi's 80-game suspension was reduced to 50 games because it was determined that his substance was ingested via cold medicine.SS Cleveland IndiansIpamorelin^OFPhiladelphia PhilliesCDMTP GGPittsburgh PiratesNandroloneOFHouston AstrosBoldenonePWashington NationalsCKansas City RoyalsOFMinnesota TwinsStanozololSS SS GGSeattle MarinersFurosemide2BChicago White SoxErythropoietinCKansas City RoyalsOstarine, LigandrolPBoston Red SoxGHRP-2PHouston AstrosClomiphenePOakland AthleticsOstarinePSeattle MarinersStanozololSSMinnesota TwinsHydrochlorothiazideMichael Pineda's 80-game suspension was reduced to 60 games because a compelling case was made that the substance was not taken as a masking agent for performance-enhancing drugs.P Houston AstrosBoldenone^PPittsburgh PiratesUTArizona DiamondbacksINFCleveland IndiansPWashington NationalsDHCMTCPittsburgh PiratesBoldenoneP SS GGNew York MetsStanozolol^2BMiami MarlinsCDMTPSan Francisco GiantsStanozololPSeattle MarinersTestosteronePOakland AthleticsNandrolone OF Milwaukee BrewersClomiphene CStanozolol P SSSan Diego PadresClostebol SS Milwaukee BrewersStanozolol ^ PCincinnati RedsBoldenone 3BToronto Blue JaysClomiphene 2B SSAtlanta Braves Human chorionic gonadotropin OFPhiladelphia Phillies Testosterone PBoldenoneOF SS Atlanta BravesTestosterone ^OF
Players with major league experience on minor league rosters or free agents This table lists players with prior MLB experience who, at the time of their suspension, were in Minor League Baseball or were a free agent. PlayerTeamDate announcedPenaltyPositionResponseRef.Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim PTexas RangersCSeattle MarinersP Pittsburgh PiratesPOF3BToronto Blue JaysIFAtlanta BravesPNew York MetsP Philadelphia Phillies1BCleveland IndiansOFSan Francisco GiantsCColorado RockiesIFOakland AthleticsOFChicago White Sox1BColorado RockiesPKansas City RoyalsIFFlorida MarlinsSS Washington Nationals^IFSSToronto Blue JaysP Philadelphia Phillies1B Florida MarlinsSS Kansas City RoyalsIFFree agentOFCincinnati RedsPPittsburgh PiratesPSan Francisco GiantsOFCFree agentPNew York YankeesPTexas RangersPNew York MetsPMilwaukee BrewersCCincinnati RedsCTexas RangersPFree agentPAtlanta BravesOFColorado RockiesCSeattle MarinersPHouston AstrosPFlorida MarlinsPNew York YankeesMitre failed his test while with the Marlins.PPhiladelphia PhilliesIFLos Angeles DodgersOFWashington NationalsSS Los Angeles DodgersOFColorado RockiesUTSan Francisco GiantsPPhiladelphia Phillies3BFree agentPColorado Rockies1BBaltimore Orioles1BFree agentOFPP1BOFBaltimore OriolesIFDetroit TigersP Baltimore OriolesPFree agent PNew York MetsOFSeattle MarinersCHouston AstrosPNew York YankeesOFFree agentPP C 1BTampa Bay RaysPLos Angeles AngelsP (2)Free agentIF3BAtlanta BravesPNew York YankeesPChicago White SoxPFree agentPOakland AthleticsPChicago White SoxPFree agentC ^CDetroit TigersPOFFree agent OF San Francisco Giants^PCleveland Indians OFBaltimore OriolesIFLos Angeles DodgersPCleveland IndiansPPittsburgh PiratesPNew York MetsPRetiredCFree agentPIFIFPPNew York YankeesIFFree agentOF
Players with only minor league experience
This table lists players who, at the time of their suspension, were in Minor League Baseball with no prior MLB experience. PlayerOrganizationDate announcedPenaltyPositionResponseRef.Seattle MarinersPChicago CubsCLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimP Seattle MarinersP San Diego PadresPCleveland Indians2BNew York MetsPTexas RangersPKansas City RoyalsOFLos Angeles DodgersPChicago CubsCNew York YankeesPFlorida MarlinsPWashington NationalsCMinnesota TwinsIFPhiladelphia PhilliesOFFree agentPChicago White SoxPNew York MetsIFPhiladelphia PhilliesPTampa Bay RaysIF GGToronto Blue JaysPBoston Red SoxPNew York YankeesPNew York MetsOFSeattle Mariners1BBaltimore OriolesPOakland AthleticsOFMilwaukee BrewersIFSan Francisco GiantsPFree agentPNew York MetsPCleveland IndiansPTexas RangersIFBoston Red SoxPOakland AthleticsCWashington NationalsPTexas RangersPBaltimore OriolesIFHouston AstrosPPToronto Blue JaysPCleveland IndiansIFBoston Red Sox3BArizona DiamondbacksC GGSan Francisco GiantsPColorado RockiesPCincinnati RedsPHouston AstrosPColorado RockiesIF
Players with major league experience in a non-affiliated professional league This table lists players with prior MLB experience who were suspended by a baseball league not affiliated with MLB, such as Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan or KBO League in Korea.
PlayerOrganization (League)Date announcedPenaltyPositionRef.Yomiuri Giants (NPB)One yearUTYakult Swallows (NPB)PBridgeport Bluefish (ALPB)Although Gathright failed a test for an amphetamine while playing in the Atlantic League, he was also suspended by Major League Baseball.OFLotte Giants (KBO)OF (2)Tigres de Aragua (LVBP)Alex Cabrera's suspension was 50 games because it was his second violation of the league's drug policy, even though his prior suspension had been overturned by a Venezuelan court.DHCaribes de Anzoátegui (LVBP)OFÁguilas del Zulia (LVBP)OFNavegantes del Magallanes (LVBP)CLeones del Caracas (LVBP)12 gamesJhoulys Chacin's 20-game suspension was reduced because he admitted to using the banned substance.PTigres de Aragua (LVBP)20 gamesPCaribes de Anzoátegui (LVBP)20 gamesUT (2)Leones del Caracas (LVBP)60 gamesPNavegantes del Magallanes (LVBP)30 gamesP
Players with major league experience suspended from international competition This table lists players with former or future MLB experience who were suspended from international play by the International Baseball Federation or World Baseball Softball Confederation for using performance-enhancing drugs in international competitions.
PlayerCompetitionSubstancePenaltyPositionRef.2002 Intercontinental CupUnsepcified steroidTwo yearsOFP2009 World Baseball ClassicPhentermineP2023 World Baseball Classic qualificationAmphetamineFour yearsC2023 World Baseball ClassicIbutamoren, SARMSThree yearsP2024 WBSC Premier12StanozololFour yearsPDrostanoloneSS2026 World Baseball ClassicMesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone, stanozololPendingOF
See also List of Major League Baseball players suspended for domestic violence List of people banned from Major League Baseball List of suspensions in the NFL List of people banned or suspended by the NBA Doping in baseball
Footnotes Players' responses
References
External links Ex-Mets employee Kirk Radomski pleads guilty to distributing steroids and other charges. April 27, 2007 Bud Selig comments on the suspension of players found to have broken U.S. laws in regards to the steroid scandal. October 25, 2007