For Miguel Tejada, things just went from bad to worse.
The Kansas City Royals infielder, who Major League Baseball suspended for 105 games last week for testing positive a third time for amphetamines, has been connected to the Biogenesis scandal, according to reports.
MLB made the decision to go after Tejada for testing positive for amphetamines rather than take charge on him over his suspected role and connection to Tony Bosch, founder of the anti-aging clinic Biogenesis that was responsible for selling performance enhancing substances to 13 players who each got disciplined earlier this month.
According to ESPN, Tejada was given the choice of a 105-game ban for his amphetamine use, or to undergo additional punishment for his relationship with the Biogenesis clinic. Tejada chose to accept the 105-game suspension, after which word leaked that he was connected to the clinic.
Tejada said he used the drug Adderall for therapeutic reasons, but he wasn't able to convince the MLB that he wasn't deserving of suspension, and he didn't argue the ban. Tejada continued to use the medication while re-applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption, which would allow him to legally take it for a medical need.
Without receiving the exemption, Tejada still used the medication and therefore broke the rules. Tejada was apologetic after the ban came down.
"I apologize to my teammates, the Royals organization and to the Kansas City fans," Tejada said in a statement the day he was suspended according to ESPN. "I have a medical condition that requires medication to treat. I took that medication while re-applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Under the requirements of the Joint Drug Program, I made a mistake in doing so."
According to MLB rules, the first use of amphetamines requires counseling, a second offense calls for a 25-game suspension and a third results in a ban of 80 games. Since Tejada already had two positive tests this season prior to a third one, the MLB decided to suspend him 105 games.
Tejada, 39, is a free agent after this season but will have to sit out the first 64 contests next year.
Tejada won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 2002, and was hitting .288 with three homeruns and 20 RBIs in 53 games for Kansas City (64-59) this season.
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