J.C.

Mejia

The decision doesn’t come as a surprise after Mejía received his second career suspension in September — a full-season 162-game ban — after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

It’s the second career suspension for Mejía, who also served an 80-game ban last year. The 27-year-old right-hander, who made nine relief appearances this season for the Brewers before landing on the 60-day injured list last month with right shoulder inflammation, tested positive for Stanozolol, according to a league statement. He’ll miss virtually the entire 2024 campaign.

This ends Mejia’s season. He had a 5.56 ERA in nine appearances before going on the IL with shoulder inflammation last month.

The 26-year-old hurler had struggled in nine appearances out of the Brewers’ bullpen before suffering the injury — registering a 5.56 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 11 1/3 innings. Trevor Megill was recalled in a corresponding move on Tuesday.

Mejia, a former Guardians prospect, will make his 2023 debut. He made a couple of forgettable appearances for the Brewers last year, giving up six runs in 2 1/3 innings. He had a 3.86 ERA and a 32/13 K/BB ratio in 30 1/3 innings while working out of Nashville’s bullpen.

Mejía spent much of the 2022 season serving out a PED suspension and surrendered six earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings of work when active. The 26-year-old right-hander will look to compete for a spot in the Milwaukee bullpen next spring. This technically qualifies as the first move of the Matt Arnold era after he succeeded David Stearns as the lead decision-maker in the Brewers’ front office on Thursday morning.

Mejía has made just two relief appearances this season for the Brewers and passed through waivers unclaimed last week after being designated for assignment. The 25-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Guardians last offseason and served an 80-game suspension earlier this year after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

With Jake Cousins returning from the 60-day injured list (and being optioned to Triple-A Nashville), the Brewers needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster and Mejia drew the short straw this time. The 25-year-old hurler posted a 23.14 ERA and 4.29 WHIP over 2 1/3 innings with the Brewers this season. It’s likely he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as pitching depth at Triple-A.

Mejia has completed his 80-game PED suspension but will head to the minors for the time being.

Mejia tested positive for Stanozolol, an androgen and anabolic steroid. The 25-year-old right-hander was just called up by the Brewers last Tuesday and had allowed six earned runs through 2 1/3 innings of relief.