Rules for Steroid Use in MLB

Major League Baseball can trace its roots back to the late 1860s, but it wasn't until recently that illegal performance-enhancing substances such as anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) have become a serious problem in the sport. In 2005, in response to the BALCO Scandal and the Mitchell Report, Commissioner Bud Selig unveiled the current rules for steroid use in MLB.

  1. Testing Procedures

    • According to the MLB Steroid Policy, players are tested at least once per year.

    First Positive Test

    • A player receives a 10-game suspension for his first positive test under the rules for steroid use in MLB.

    Second Positive Test

    • A second positive test will result in a player being suspended for 30 games.

    Third Positive Test

    • The punishment is doubled for a third offense, as the player testing positive will receive a 60 game suspension.

    Fourth Positive Test

    • Under the rules for steroids in MLB, a baseball player is suspended for a full season following a fourth positive test.

    Fifth Positive Test

    • After a fifth positive test, it is up to the commissioner to decide the severity of a player's punishment.

    MLB Steroid Policy Statistics

    • According to ESPN, more than 100 players were suspended under the new policy between April 2005, when it was first instituted, and the end of May 2006. More than half were pitchers.