MLBPA unaware of ex-Mets' Jenrry Mejia's dissatisfaction
Executive director of the MLB Players Association Tony Clark refutes former New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia's claims that the union didn't defend Mejia during the suspension process and didn't know of his dissatisfaction.
"There are opportunities to communicate throughout," Clark said during his annual visit to Mets camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla. "Those concerns weren't anything we were aware of during the course of this process."
Mejia, who became the first MLB player to be permanently banned from baseball under the league's substance abuse policy, was quoted in a New York Times story earlier this week that the union did not do enough to protect him following ban.
"The association should have done more,” Mejia said. “(The union) should have been there to defend me — because that’s what they’re there for. They should have found something to appeal for.”
Said Clark: "Anytime there's a concern from a player about a situation related to the support that he feels he got or he didn't get, it is concerning. But we are confident that we take every case seriously, and provide the support from start to finish for players. Being a player, you can trust that that is the case."
Mejia failed three tests in 10 months. Under MLB's policy, it mandates a lifetime ban after a third positive test, although the player may apply for reinstatement after two years.