David Wright on Jenrry Mejia: 'He needs to be punished'
New York Mets teammates reacted to the 80-game suspension of closer Jenrry Mejia on Saturday, expressing disappointment after Mejia tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol.
After the Mets lost to the Atlanta Braves 5–3 at Turner Field, Mets third baseman and captain David Wright told The Wall Street Journal the team was disappointed in Mejia and frustrated by the loss of its closer.
• JAFFE: Jenrry Mejia latest to be suspended as MLB searches for answers
[daily_cut.mlb]"Not only do you cost yourself 80 games and don't get paid, but you're hurting everybody in here," Wright said. "You're letting down your teammates. That probably means just as much, if not more, than hurting yourself.
"He messed up, and he needs to be punished."
Mejia's 80-game suspension without pay was announced before the Mets' game on Saturday, and Mejia acknowledged he would accept the suspension despite issuing a statement that said, "...I can honestly say I have no idea how a banned substance ended up in my system."
• Curt Schilling warns of chewing tobacco use in open letter
Stanozolol is considered a banned substance by Major League Baseball's drug policy, and an 80-game suspension is the penalty for a first-time positive test.
Mejia was entering his first full season as the Mets' closer after taking over the role last May. After starting seven games earlier in the season, he converted 28 of 31 save opportunities.
- Mike Fiammetta
