MLB, MLBPA Amend Joint Drug Agreement, Lengthen Suspensions

MLB and the MLBPA on Friday announced a large set of adjustments to the Joint Drug Agreement that substantially increase testing protocols and penalties for use of PEDs. A first-time violation now yields an 80-game suspension, up from 50 games; a second-time violation warrants a 162-game suspension, up from 100 games; and a third violation remains a lifetime suspension. Offenders will be ineligible to play in the postseason or receive playoff shares in the year in which they are penalized.

The changes also contain two provisions aimed at lessening problems around inadvertent ingestion of banned substances. Players will now have year-round access to supplements not on the banned list, and an independent arbitrator will have the ability to reduce suspensions if players can prove substances in question were not taken to enhance performance.