Only two players suspended for drug use in major league baseball this year

In the United States, Major League Baseball (MLB) reported a notably low incidence of positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs in its most recent annual report. The year ending with the World Series saw only two positive tests resulting in disciplinary actions out of a total of 11,609 samples collected. The breakdown of these tests comprised 9,455 urine samples and 2,154 blood samples aimed at detecting human growth hormone. This statistic indicates a slight decline from the previous year's record of 11,783 tests. The independent program administrator, Thomas M. Martin, revealed these findings alongside additional data related to exemptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which remained low. The two positive tests involved Cincinnati infielder Noelvi Martínez and Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martínez, both facing an 80-game suspension for using banned substances. Specifically, Noelvi Martínez tested positive for boldenone while Orelvis Martínez had a positive test for clomiphene, which occurred shortly after his major league debut. Interestingly, there were no positive tests for banned stimulants that resulted in suspensions during this time. The policies of MLB stipulate that a first positive test for stimulants leads to follow-up testing, while a second infraction results in a 50-game suspension. Additionally, therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) totaled 65, with 61 specifically for ADHD. It is noteworthy that the ADHD TUEs matched the previous year's figures, highlighting a continuing trend of lower requests, falling significantly from a peak of 119 in 2013. There were a few other TUEs issued for various conditions, such as hypertension and sleep disorders, indicating that while some players require medication for legitimate health issues, the overall trend in ADHD exemptions may signal a more effective oversight of performance-enhancing drug regulations. The conclusion drawn from the latest findings illustrates Major League Baseball’s ongoing commitment to enforcing its anti-doping policy rigorously, despite occasional infractions. The significant decrease in positive tests may suggest an effective deterrent against drug use among players, fostering a cleaner and more competitive robust league environment. With the decrease in ADHD exemptions as a backdrop, it poses the question of whether player education and awareness campaigns surrounding the implications and consequences of doping are resonating within the sport.