JC Mejia - Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago White Sox
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - J.C. Mejia (#36) of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitcher J.C. Mejia was meted with a 162-game suspension without pay from Major League Baseball on Wednesday, September 20, due to a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance, according to Brewers beat writer Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

The 27-year-old tested positive for stanozolol, a "synthetic steroid derived from testosterone."

Mejia is the first player to be suspended under the major league drug agreement for the 2023 MLB season.

This is the second time Mejia has faced suspension for using the same anabolic steroid. He previously received an 80-game suspension for the same penalty in May 2022.

"The Milwaukee Brewers fully support MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and share in the goal of eliminating performance-enhancing substances from our game," Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said in a statement.

Mejia will be eligible to return to action at the tail end of next season.

J.C. Mejia was out due to shoulder injury

The Dominican Republic native was dealing with a right shoulder injury at the time of his suspension, and he has been on the 60-day injured list since August 15. His time spent on the injured list will be included in the suspension.

Mejia has made nine relief appearances for the Brewers this season, accumulating a 5.56 ERA over 11 ⅓ innings.

Currently in his third season in the major leagues, he was acquired by the team just before the 2022 season after spending the 2021 season with the Cleveland Indians.